A practical guide for parents of preschoolers
Resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and grow from challenges. It is what allows children to try again after failing, manage disappointment, and face new situations with confidence.
Resilient children are not born — they are raised through supportive relationships, healthy challenges, and consistent guidance.
Preschool is a critical stage for building the emotional foundation children need to succeed in school and in life.
This guide will help you understand what resilience is, why it starts in early childhood, and how you can nurture it at home.
What is resilience in early childhood?
Resilience is the ability to cope with difficulties, adapt to change, and keep going even when things feel hard.
For young children, resilience means:
- Trying again after making a mistake
- Managing frustration and disappointment
- Feeling confident to face new challenges
- Believing “I can do hard things”
Resilience is built through everyday experiences, not through avoiding problems but through learning how to handle them.
Why resilience starts in preschool
Early childhood is when the brain is most flexible and adaptable. Experiences during these years shape how children respond to stress, challenges, and change for the rest of their lives.
Research shows that children who develop resilience early:
- Adjust better to school
- Show stronger emotional control
- Develop healthy self-esteem
- Build positive social skills
- Cope better with academic challenges
According to child development experts, resilience is one of the most important predictors of long-term success and well-being.
The connection between resilience and learning
Children who are resilient are more likely to:
- Persist when learning is difficult
- Handle mistakes without giving up
- Try new activities with confidence
- Stay motivated and engaged
This is closely connected to the concept of growth mindset, developed by psychologist Carol Dweck, which teaches children that abilities grow with effort and practice.
What to do: practical strategies for parents
Encourage independence. Let your child try new things, even if they might struggle at first. Small challenges build big confidence.
Allow mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning. Instead of fixing everything, say, “It’s okay, try again.”
Praise effort, not results. Say “You worked really hard” instead of “You’re so smart.”
Create opportunities for problem-solving. Puzzles, building games, and everyday tasks help children practice perseverance.
Teach positive self-talk. Help your child say, “I can try again,” or “I will keep practicing.”
Be emotionally supportive. A strong bond with a caring adult is the foundation of resilience.
How schools help build resilience
High-quality early childhood education provides children with:
- Safe opportunities to face challenges
- Support to manage emotions
- Encouragement to try again
- A positive environment where mistakes are part of learning
This builds confidence, independence, and emotional strength.
Final thoughts for parents
Resilience is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.
When children learn that challenges are part of life — and that they have the strength to face them — they grow into confident, capable, and emotionally healthy individuals.
Scientific References
Harvard Center on the Developing Child – Building Resilience
American Psychological Association – The Road to Resilience
Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Center on the Developing Child – Resilience and Stress
UNICEF – Early Childhood Development and Emotional Well-being
