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Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up

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Jessica Yochum

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up

Parents will learn practical strategies to foster resilience in their elementary school children, helping them navigate challenges and develop a positive mindset.

Building resilience is essential for children's emotional well-being and their ability to cope with life's inevitable ups and downs. This lesson provides parents with actionable tools to empower their kids.

Audience

Elementary School Parents

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive presentation with clear strategies and discussion prompts.

Materials

Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Slide Deck](#resilient-kids-slide-deck), and Resilient Kids: Parent Handout](#resilient-kids-parent-handout)

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

  • Review the Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Slide Deck thoroughly.
  • Familiarize yourself with the key concepts of resilience and the practical strategies presented.
  • Prepare any notes or talking points you wish to add beyond the slides.
  • Print copies of the Resilient Kids: Parent Handout for distribution.

Step 1

Introduction: What is Resilience?

3 minutes

  • Begin with a welcoming statement and introduce the topic of resilience.
  • Use Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
  • Engage parents by asking: "What does 'resilience' mean to you when you think about your child?"

Step 2

Key Strategies for Building Resilience

8 minutes

  • Present the core strategies for fostering resilience.
  • Use Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Slide Deck (Slides 3-7).
  • Briefly explain each strategy, providing a quick example or two.
  • Encourage brief parent sharing or questions after each point if time allows.
  • Distribute the Resilient Kids: Parent Handout as a reference.

Step 3

Putting it into Practice & Q&A

4 minutes

  • Summarize the key takeaways.
  • Use Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Slide Deck (Slide 8-9).
  • Open the floor for any remaining questions or a brief discussion on how parents might implement these strategies at home.
  • Conclude with an encouraging remark about their important role in their child's development.
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Slide Deck

Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up

Helping Your Child Bounce Back Stronger!

Today, we'll explore how you can equip your elementary schooler with the tools to navigate challenges and grow stronger from every experience. It's about empowering them to face the world with confidence and a positive mindset.

What does 'resilience' mean to you when you think about your child? (Allow for brief parent responses)

Welcome parents and thank them for coming. Introduce the topic: building resilience in children. Start with a hook question to engage them.

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. It's about 'bouncing back' when things get tough.

Why is it important?

  • Helps children cope with setbacks
  • Fosters emotional strength
  • Promotes problem-solving skills
  • Builds confidence and self-esteem

Good news! Resilience isn't something kids are born with or without – it's a skill we can help them develop!

Define resilience in simple terms for parents. Emphasize that it's a learned skill, not an innate trait. Highlight the importance of their role as parents.

Strategy 1: Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Encourage your child to see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than insurmountable obstacles.

How to do it:

  • Praise effort, not just outcome: Instead of "You're so smart!" try "I admire how hard you worked on that!"
  • Reframe mistakes: "What did you learn from that?" instead of "You failed."
  • Model a growth mindset: Talk about your own challenges and how you're learning from them.
  • Use phrases like: "I can't do it yet."

Introduce the first strategy: fostering a growth mindset. Explain what it is and how parents can model and encourage it. Give examples of 'fixed' vs. 'growth' statements.

Strategy 2: Teach Problem-Solving Skills

Help your child develop the ability to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and evaluate outcomes.

How to do it:

  • Don't jump in to solve everything: Resist the urge to fix all their problems immediately.
  • Ask guiding questions: "What ideas do you have?", "What could you try next?", "Who could help you?"
  • Let them experience natural consequences (when safe): This helps them learn cause and effect.
  • Break down big problems: Help them see that even large challenges can be tackled in smaller steps.

Discuss the importance of teaching problem-solving skills. Encourage parents to guide, not solve, their children's problems.

Strategy 3: Build Strong Connections

Supportive relationships provide a safety net and a sense of belonging, which are vital for resilience.

How to do it:

  • Nurture family bonds: Spend quality time together, listen actively.
  • Encourage healthy friendships: Help them develop social skills and navigate peer interactions.
  • Connect with caring adults: Grandparents, teachers, coaches, mentors can all play a supportive role.
  • Teach empathy: Understanding others' feelings strengthens connections.

Explain the role of strong relationships in building resilience. Emphasize connection with family, friends, and other supportive adults.

Strategy 4: Foster Self-Care & Emotional Regulation

Help your child recognize and manage their emotions, and understand the importance of taking care of themselves.

How to do it:

  • Name emotions: "It looks like you're feeling frustrated right now."
  • Teach calming strategies: Deep breaths, counting, quiet time, a

Highlight the importance of self-care and emotional regulation for children. Offer simple techniques they can practice.

Your Role: Empowering Resilient Kids

You are your child's most important coach and guide in building resilience. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow!

Key Takeaways:

  • Resilience is a learned skill.
  • Praise effort and process, not just outcomes.
  • Guide them to solve their own problems.
  • Nurture strong, supportive relationships.
  • Teach emotional awareness and self-care.

Questions & Discussion: How might you apply one of these strategies this week?

Summarize the key strategies and open for final questions or discussion. Emphasize that building resilience is an ongoing journey.

Thank You, Resilient Parents!

Thank you for investing in your child's emotional strength and well-being. Your efforts make a world of difference!

Remember: You've got this, and so do your kids!

End with an encouraging and empowering message for parents.

lenny

Reading

Resilient Kids: Parent Power-Up Handout

Welcome, Resilient Parents! Thank you for joining us to learn how to empower your children to navigate life's challenges with strength and confidence.

Here's a quick recap of the key strategies we discussed today to help you cultivate resilience in your elementary school children:

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Help your child see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not as failures. The power of "yet" is incredible! When they say "I can't do it," encourage them to add "yet." This simple word shifts their perspective from a fixed ability to one that can be developed through effort.

  • Praise effort, not just outcome: Focus on the hard work they put in. Instead of, "You're so smart!" try, "I admire how hard you worked on that math problem."
  • Reframe mistakes: See mistakes as learning opportunities. Ask, "What did you learn from that?" or "What could you try differently next time?"
  • Model a growth mindset: Share your own challenges and how you're learning and growing from them.

2. Teach Problem-Solving Skills

Empower your child to tackle their own problems by guiding them through the process of finding solutions. Resist the urge to fix everything for them!

  • Ask guiding questions: Instead of providing the answer, ask: "What ideas do you have?" "What could you try first?" "Who else could help you?"
  • Break down big problems: Help them see that even large challenges can be managed by taking smaller, manageable steps.
  • Allow natural consequences (when safe): Experiencing the outcome of their choices helps them learn valuable lessons.

3. Build Strong Connections

Strong, supportive relationships with family, friends, and other caring adults provide a crucial foundation for resilience. Children thrive when they feel connected and loved.

  • Nurture family bonds: Dedicate quality time together, listen actively when they speak, and create a safe space for them to share their feelings.
  • Encourage healthy friendships: Help them develop social skills like sharing, taking turns, and resolving conflicts with peers.
  • Connect with caring adults: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, coaches, or mentors can all offer additional support and guidance.
  • Teach empathy: Help your child understand and share the feelings of others, which strengthens their ability to connect.

4. Foster Self-Care & Emotional Regulation

Equip your child with the skills to understand and manage their emotions, and to recognize the importance of taking care of their physical and emotional well-being.

  • Name emotions: Help them identify what they're feeling. "It looks like you're feeling frustrated right now. Is that right?"
  • Teach calming strategies: Practice simple techniques like deep belly breaths, counting to ten, or finding a quiet space when feeling overwhelmed.
  • Promote healthy habits: Ensure they get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in physical activity. These are all vital for emotional stability.
  • Encourage enjoyable activities: Support them in pursuing hobbies and activities they love, which can be great outlets for stress and sources of joy.

Your Role: Empowering Resilient Kids

Remember, you are your child's most important coach and guide in building resilience. Every challenge is an opportunity for them to learn and grow stronger. Your consistent support, encouragement, and modeling of these strategies will make a world of difference in their ability to bounce back and thrive.

Parent Power-Up Challenge!

Take a moment to reflect on the strategies we discussed today. Choose one strategy you feel most inspired to try with your child this week. Write it down here, along with a small step you'll take to implement it.

My chosen strategy:





My first step:










Thank you for investing in your child's emotional strength and well-being!

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