Previously, we discussed how a child’s resilience is connected to their capacity to cope with criticism. Resilient children who often push themselves are aware of their limits and know where they stand. Because they understand their strengths and weaknesses so well, it makes them resistant against criticisms.
It’s like if you are aware that your hair is red, someone saying it’s purple won’t bother you. Recognizing your limitations builds self-awareness, which is essential for resilience. Children who understand their boundaries are better at developing coping mechanisms, allowing them to recover quickly from setbacks and respond to challenges with a clear mind instead of feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
As a result, resilient children are less likely to view themselves as victims and can handle difficult situations with confidence and grace. Resilient children often hold the belief that challenges are not permanent roadblocks, making them more motivated to take action in difficult situations.
In this article, we will explore how resilience can empower your children to overcome academic challenges and achieve exceptional results.
The Flow State
Have you ever been in a state where you are so immersed in an activity that you feel energized and focused, fully engaged and enjoying the process? The activity is its own reward, you are so deeply absorbed that you lose track of time and other distractions.
People often describe this as being “in the zone”, highly engaged or in the flow state. Scientists scanned the brains of people experiencing this flow state and discovered that all regions of the brain are working together harmoniously, with no one region dominating.
The right brain, associated with emotions, and the left brain, representing logic, aren’t overwhelming each other, enabling the effective use of different brain areas to achieve peak performance and enjoyment. Did you know that resilience plays a significant role in enabling individuals to reach and maintain the flow state? Why is this so?
Resilient people are more self-aware of their capabilities because they constantly push themselves and understand their limitations. This self-awareness prevents them from worrying and experiencing strong emotions like anxiety, stress or boredom. It’s like turning on a tap and knowing water will flow out. The certainty in their abilities, coupled with their confidence in handling challenges, is so strong that the thought of worrying never crossed their minds.
Unlike resilient people, non-resilient individuals often experience self-doubt, self-criticism and a fear of failure when tackling tasks. They approach tasks with strong emotions like anxiety or stress and become preoccupied with their performance or affected by the opinion of others. This usually happens because they are unsure of their abilities to handle the task.
The emotional part of the brain becomes overly active and dominant, making the person feel like the situation is not within their control. Moreover, the negative emotions make it difficult for the person to find joy or focus on the activity.
Cultivating resilience in your child can be a powerful tool for academic success. Interested to find out how you can build’s your child resilience in studies? Follow to find out more in part 10.