Encourage responsible risks

After being compressed, a stress ball rebounds back to its original shape, making it robust. Similarly, when students experience stress or dissatisfaction, you might think of it as pressure on them that they must overcome. The goal is that by presenting them with resilience-building tactics, they will be able to overcome their dissatisfaction and return to an optimal and productive learning focus.

Recognizing and complimenting children who take acceptable risks and challenge themselves, even if they do not reach the expected results, is one strategy to promote resilience. For example, speaking up during a Zoom class to answer a question, even if the answer is erroneous, or tripping over words while reading aloud. These are moments to gain confidence, take risks, and, most importantly, maintain a robust momentum while in a safe space.