How Preschools Help Build Resilience In Students

Have you ever watched as your child is playing?  Did you notice that your child was determined to climb the rope ladder?  Build an even bigger tower?  Jump rope, even if it took 100 times?  Have you realized yet that your child is pretty resilient?  Your child’s preschool teacher has probably played a role in their growth.  But how do they do it?  

They offer a safe environment.  

 

Preschools set-up their classroom spaces in a way that allows children to safely explore the world around them.  This helps build confidence, independence, and self-esteem.  

  

They encourage children to be independent.  

Preschool teachers spend a large part of their days teaching children self-help skills.  They use positive encouragement and motivation to take the “I can’t do it” and turn it into “I did it!” 

 

They promote children as decision makers.  

 

What does the child want to play with?  Who does the child want to play with?  Children are deciding what color they want to use and what games they will play with the toys.  Preschool teachers allow children to make decisions, which teaches them to trust themselves.  Every day children are making decisions, some guided and some not. 

  They encourage children to self-regulate their behaviors and develop patience.  

 

Preschool classrooms are filled with activity!  The teachers are helping each child as they can, but what about when several children need something at the same time?  Preschool teachers are teaching children the skills that will guide them to be patient and work cooperatively.  

  

They help develop critical thinking skills.  

 

When children are given the chance to use their own independent judgment they are developing critical thinking skills.  Preschool teachers are asking children questions all day like:

“How do you think this story will end?”

“What do you think this animal eats?”

“Why do you think that?”

 

They provide love and support for each child.

 

Children who can establish a positive attachment to non-family member are more apt to be confident and have a positive self-image.