You have probably heard of the 3 Rs, in education. What about the fourth R – Resiliency? Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, be motivated by challenges and believe in your own abilities to deal with the stress and difficulties in life. Resiliency skills are as important as the other 3 Rs because every child’s life will be touched by setbacks as well as achievement, pain as well as joy, loss as well as triumph. In order for children to reach their fullest potential they need to know how to approach life with resilience. What you might not know is that, just like reading, writing and arithmetic, resiliency can be learned. Children learn from their parents, teachers and coaches – how to develop the skills of resilience. Resilience enables your child to thrive no matter what life puts in his or her path.

How You Can Help Children Build Resiliency:

• Start with a nurturing and caring relationship
• Add lots of listening and respect for the young person’s voice
• Teach skills for self-control and self-discipline
• Believe in their ideas, dreams and abilities
• Model optimistic thinking
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and ways to handle disappointment)

Taken from the Bounce Back Resource, pg. 17

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week in Thames Valley. The resource attached below provides strategies that support efforts to help young people understand the importance of resiliency in their lives. Personally, I love this valuable resource and refer to the strategies to support students in working through some of their challenges around resiliency.

Toonie Tuesday
The Thames Valley Education Foundation’s (TVEF) system wide fundraiser ‘Toonie Tuesday’ is officially scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, 2014 during Education Week. Every toonie collected will go into the Foundation’s Caring Fund to assist students in need within our own school system. TVEF, through its Caring Fund, is working to ensure that help is always close at hand for students with urgent and pressing needs. Thames Valley school communities have been challenged to raise the equivalent of $2 (a toonie) for each person who works or learns in Thames Valley. – Just imagine how many students and families we will be able to help! The message is simple: a little coin, a lot of change. Thank you for helping to make ‘Toonie Tuesday’ a big success in your school and across the Thames Valley. Thank you for caring enough to give.