How to raise mentally resilient children?

January 19, 2023

As parents, we want nothing more than for our children to be happy and successful in life. We try to protect them from hurt and disappointment, but the truth is that these are inevitable parts of life. What’s more, research has shown that children who experience adversity early in life are actually more likely to be successful later in life. This is because they learn how to develop mental resilience.

So, what exactly is mental resilience? It is the ability to cope with adversity and bounce back from difficult experiences. It’s a skill that can be learned and one that is vitally important for children to develop. Here are three ways that parents can try to help their children build mental resilience:

1. Hone his problem-solving skills

Many of the challenges that children face can be overcome by teaching them problem-solving skills. These skills help your child to identify and understand the root cause of the problem so he can develop creative solutions to solve them. To help hone your child’s critical thinking skills, it’s important to provide opportunities for them to practise through enrichment programmes in Singapore or fun games and puzzles.

It’s also essential that children understand that it’s the process of problem-solving that is important, not necessarily getting the right answer. By teaching these skills, you can help your child become more confident and independent problem-solvers.

2. Teach him about failure 

Life happens. There will be opportunities for children to face challenges and obstacles, and it’s perfectly normal for them to be unable to overcome them yet. Teaching children to adopt different lenses allows them to see challenges in different light. Help them to understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process and reflecting from these moments will help them develop a growth mindset.

Individuals with a growth mindset see failures as an opportunity to learn and grow. In fact, this mindset is one of the most important predictors of success in life. Praising your child’s efforts will help him understand that he can improve with hard work and practice, leading to greater resilience in the face of challenges. Another way is to encourage your little one to find the silver lining in every situation. When he learns how to look at the bright side, he’s less likely to be overwhelmed by difficult situations. In fact, this is one reason why our MindChamps Enrichment for English, Math and Chinese are bundled together with our Art of Learning programmes. The Art of learning components help them acquire mental resilience when learning new concepts.

3. Encourage him to ask for help

Another way to help your little one become more mentally resilient is to encourage him to ask for help if he cannot solve the problems by himself. This may seem counterintuitive, but children who feel like they can rely on others are more likely to cope with difficulties and setbacks. Teaching your child communication skills and encouraging him to ask for help also shows him that it’s okay to need assistance and that there’s no shame in seeking out support. For example, your child can develop a support network by surrounding himself with trusted family and friends who can help him weather any storm.

Gain critical thinking skills with MindChamps Enrichment programmes in Singapore

Developing mental resilience is not something that happens overnight. It is a process that requires time, effort, and practice. However, the rewards are well worth the investment as mentally resilient children are better equipped to deal with the challenges that life throws their way.

At MindChamps Enrichment, we provide various programmes for children in Singapore, including English, Chinese, Mathematics, and Science. In these enrichment courses, we help to nurture our students’ critical thinking skills using  the 3-Mind Approach, with a focus on developing their skills through engaging activities and practising them in a real-life setting. Dedicated courses such as the PSLE – The Champion Mindset Way are also specially created for P6 students taking the PSLE to reinforce their concepts and hone their answering techniques.

Book a visit to any of our centres or get in touch to find out more about our programmes designed to hone young minds now!