Mental resilience, or the ability to cope with difficulties, stress, and emotional challenges, is one of the most important competencies we can develop in children from an early age. The modern world presents children with many challenges—from adapting to peer groups, learning independence, to dealing with failures and separation from parents. Preschool is a time when the foundations of mental resilience are formed, which is why it is so important for parents and teachers to consciously support this process.
According to research by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2023), children who develop mental resilience from an early age cope better in adult life, build healthy social relationships, and show greater perseverance in the face of challenges. It is in preschool that children learn how to react to difficult situations, how to express emotions, and how to build self-esteem.
The Importance of Mental Resilience in Children
Mental resilience does not mean the absence of difficult emotions or problems, but rather the ability to deal with them constructively. Children who develop this trait are better able to cope with frustration, failure, and stress. Research conducted by Harvard University (Shonkoff & Garner, 2022) shows that mental resilience is crucial for future educational success and emotional stability. Children who learn positive strategies for coping with adversity are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and difficulties in forming relationships.
It is important to remember that mental resilience is not an innate trait—it can be developed and strengthened through appropriate educational and parenting actions. It is crucial to introduce strategies at the preschool stage that help children build self-esteem, learn to manage emotions, and establish healthy relationships with peers and adults.
Strategies to Strengthen Mental Resilience
1. Building Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the foundation of mental resilience. Children who believe in themselves and their abilities are more likely to take on challenges and are less discouraged by setbacks.
Examples of actions:
Positive reinforcement: Instead of praising only the result (“What a beautiful drawing!”), it is better to appreciate the effort (“I see you worked very hard to color inside the lines!”). This approach teaches children that success is the result of effort, not just innate abilities (Dweck, 2021).
Encouraging independence: Allow your child to make decisions, such as choosing clothes, deciding the order of play, or helping with simple household chores. A child who feels they have an influence on their environment builds a sense of agency.
Modeling positive attitudes: Talk to your child about your own emotions and ways of dealing with difficulties. Show that everyone can make mistakes and that it’s okay—the important thing is to try again.
2. Learning to Cope with Emotions
The ability to recognize, name, and express emotions is key to mental health. Children who can talk about their feelings cope better with stress and conflict.
Examples of exercises and games:
Emotion cards: Prepare cards with faces showing different emotions (joy, sadness, anger, fear). Name the emotions together and talk about situations in which they might be felt.
“Feelings thermometer” game: Ask your child to show on a scale from 1 to 10 how angry or happy they are, for example. This helps in learning to recognize the intensity of emotions.
Relaxation techniques: Teach your child simple breathing exercises, such as “balloon breathing” (deep inhales and slow exhales), “blowing on a feather,” or “kids’ yoga”—simple poses that help calm down (Siegel, 2023).
3. Strengthening Social Relationships
The ability to establish and maintain relationships with peers is another pillar of mental resilience. Children who feel accepted in a group are more confident and less exposed to stress.
Examples of games and exercises:
Cooperative games: Team games such as “building a tower with blocks” in pairs, “drawing a big poster together,” or “egg-and-spoon races” teach cooperation and communication.
“Compliment circle” game: Children sit in a circle and each says something nice about the person to their right. This exercise strengthens the sense of belonging and teaches children to notice positive traits in others.
Conflict resolution: In conflict situations, encourage children to talk and look for compromises. You can introduce a “peace chest”—a place where children can put drawings or notes with suggestions for resolving conflicts.
4. The Importance of Relationships with Adults
A strong, positive bond with an adult is the foundation for building mental resilience. Children who feel loved and accepted are more courageous in taking on challenges and dealing with difficulties.
Everyday rituals and support:
Reading together: The daily ritual of reading a bedtime story not only calms but also builds closeness and gives the child a sense of security.
Talking about the day: Spend a few minutes talking about what happened at preschool. Ask not only about successes but also about more difficult moments—show that every emotion is important.
Cooking or household chores together: Involving your child in everyday activities strengthens the bond and gives them a sense of being needed (Stanford University, 2023).
5. The Role of Play in Shaping Mental Resilience
Play is a natural way for children to learn. Through creative activities, children learn to experiment, solve problems, and deal with emotions.
Examples of games supporting mental resilience:
“What if…” game: Come up with different scenarios together, e.g., “What if you lost your favorite teddy bear?” and look for solutions together. This exercises flexible thinking and teaches that there is a way out of every problem.
Home theater: Acting out everyday scenes (e.g., an argument over a toy, losing something important) allows the child to practice different reactions and ways of dealing with emotions.
Sensory play: Finger painting, playing with modeling clay, sand, or water helps children calm down and release tension (Child Mind Institute, 2023).
Practical Tips for Parents and Teachers
Be present: Spend time with your child, listen attentively, and show interest in their matters.
Set an example: Show how you deal with difficulties, talk about your emotions and ways of regulating them.
Support, but don’t do everything for them: Let your child solve problems independently, support them in difficult situations, but don’t solve everything for them.
Praise effort, not just results: Appreciate your child’s efforts, even if not everything worked out.
Teach empathy and cooperation: Talk about the emotions of others, encourage helping peers.
Create opportunities for play: Organize creative games that develop imagination and social skills.
Summary
Building mental resilience in preschool children is a long-term process that requires the involvement of both parents and teachers. Effective strategies include strengthening self-esteem, learning to cope with emotions, and building healthy social relationships. Equally important are strong bonds with adults and the role of play as a tool for developing children’s adaptive abilities.
Implementing these techniques at the preschool stage can bring long-term benefits for the child’s future. Children who learn to cope with difficulties will be more confident, open to new challenges, and better prepared for life in a changing world. Therefore, it is worth investing time and attention in developing mental resilience from the earliest years—this is the best gift we can give our children.
Sources
American Psychological Association (2023). Stress and Resilience in Childhood.
Shonkoff, J., & Garner, A. (2022). Developing Resilience in Early Childhood. Harvard University Press.
Dweck, C. (2021). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.
Siegel, D. (2023). The Whole-Brain Child.
Stanford University (2023). The Importance of Adult-Child Relationships.
Child Mind Institute (2023). How Play Builds Resilience.
