Developing Resilience in Preschoolers

Narrator: Developing resilience in preschoolers

Scene: Seeing that Kiki looks upset when she is drawing, Mum talks to her. Dad comforts Kiki when she looks unhappy sitting on the sofa.

Narrator: When facing adversities, some children may become irritable or depressed while others are able to adapt or recover rapidly. Children’s resilience can be affected by both their internal qualities and external factors. Let’s see how Dad and Mum help Kiki to face difficulties!

Heading: Developing Optimism

Narrator: Developing optimism.

Scene: Mum finds that Kiki looks upset when doing puzzles.

Narrator: What parents say to the child can make them feel supported and help them face difficulties positively.

Narrator: Kiki is doing a jigsaw puzzle. Mum finds that she gets frustrated and wants to give up after repeated failure. Mum recognises her feeling and tries to encourage her.

Heading: Building up Problem-solving Skills

Narrator: Building up problem-solving skills

Scene: Kiki keeps trying as Mum encourages her.

Narrator: Encouraging children to solve problems can help them face challenges. You can help your children build up problem solving skills by guiding them to think about what contributes to the problem and figure out a solution.

Narrator: Under Mum’s encouragement and guidance, Kiki keeps trying.

Heading: Fostering Self-esteem

Narrator: Fostering self-esteem

Scene: Kiki keeps doing the puzzle. She pays attention to the shapes and colours and tries to put them together. Seeing that Kiki is doing much better, Mum continues to encourage her.

Narrator: Through expressing your love, acceptance and care, children learn to accept themselves.

Narrator: Kiki keeps trying to put the puzzle together. She enjoys her success when she gets it right.

Heading: Nurturing Hope

Narrator: Nurturing hope

Scene: After repeated attempts, Kiki finishes the puzzle and she tells Mum with great joy. Mum praises her.

Narrator: Mum explains to Kiki that when facing difficulties, remaining positive and trying different ways can help solve the problem. Please bear in mind that you are there to help your child to achieve her goals but not to do it for her.

Scene: Kiki is holding her soft toys on the floor but she looks sulky.

Narrator: Dad notices Kiki is sulky, holding her soft toys on the floor. He helps her by using the following ways.

Scene: Dad listens to Kiki as she explains why she is upset.

Sub-heading: Encourage your child to express herself

Narrator: First, encourage your child to express herself

Scene: Dad sits next to Kiki and asks why she is unhappy.

Narrator: Dad sits next to Kiki and encourages her to tell him what upset her. He guides her to tell the details of the event by asking Kiki what has happened and why it happened. Dad listens and leads her to see things from another person’s point of view before guiding her to solve the problem.

Dad: I see. Come with Dad.

Scene: Dad stays with Kiki and guides her to solve the problem.

Sub-heading: Guide your child to solve the problem

Narrator: When you know what is troubling your child, you can guide her to find a solution by herself.

Dad: How would you feel when others get all the toys?

Kiki: I’ll be sad.

Narrator: Like this dad, he leads the child to think of sharing toys with her friend so that they can be friends again.

Dad: Give it a try at school tomorrow!

Kiki: Okay!

End Shot: Department of Health logo

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Produced in 2015