Power Point Presentation of Dr. Sandy Sites

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Resiliency Historically, the focus has been on medical and psychological pathologies and deficiencies rather than strengths. At-Risk - new term to describe the decrease in quality education and increase of students in jeopardy. (A Nation at Risk, 1983)

We were looking at what’s wrong . . . Rather than what’s right

Resiliency The shift has moved from identifying the

To identifying the

Resiliency So what does resiliency mean?

Resiliency So what does resiliency mean? •Capacity for successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening situations •An inherent characteristic that exists in some degree in all of us

•Resilience is itself normative

Resiliency So what does resiliency mean? •Person’s ability to remain steady or to bounce back in spite of adversity. •Resilient person draws on strengths, internally and environmental, to overcome challenges.

Resiliency External Factors: Risk or Protective Family

Environment Harm or Nurture?

Community

The Child

School

Other people

Resiliency What are the risk factors? Chronic Poverty

Suicide

Neglect Depression Abuse

Parental Psychopathologies

Non-English Speaking

Disruptive Behaviors

others

Resiliency RISK FACTORS Cumulative effect - more adversities lead to more dysfunction and vulnerabilities. Predispose a child to negative developmental outcomes Labels children AT-RISK - what words come to mind?

Resiliency What minimizes risk factors?

Protective factors - supports and opportunities that buffer the effects of risk factors.

Resiliency “Buffers [protective factors] make a more profound impact on the life course of children who grow up under adverse conditions than do specific risk factors or stressful life events. They appear to transcend ethnic, social class, geographical, and historical boundaries.” Werner & Smith, 1992

Resiliency External Factors Communit y

Family

The Child Other people

Schoo l

Internal Personality Traits

Resiliency Internal Factors: Personal Strengths Social Competence Problem Solving Responsiveness

Planning

Communication

Flexibility

Empathy Caring

Resourcefulness

Compassion Altruism Forgiveness

Fostering Resiliency in Kids Benard (1991)

Autonomy Positive Identity Internal Locus of control Self-efficacy Mastery

Critical Thinking Adaptive Distancing Insight Resistance Self-Awareness Humor

Sense of purpose Goal Directed Achievement Motivation Educational Aspirations

Creativity Special Interests Optimism Hope Faith Spirituality Sense of Meaning

Resiliency SEL - Social and Emotional Learning Works to develop core competences:

Self-awareness Social awareness Self-management Relationship skills Responsible decision-making

Resiliency Other traits of a “resilient person” •Easy temperament or disposition •Likable, friendly, sociable

•True to self, resist pressure to do negative things •Competence - being good at something •Other characteristics describe a resilient person?

Resiliency Search Institute 40

Developmental Assets: building blocks of healthy development. External

Assets: Positive, structured growth environments (e.g,, support, empowerment, boundaries, expectations, constructive use of time) Internal

Assets: commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, positive identity http://www.search-institute.org

Resiliency So how do we build these internal protective assets in students? We begin by applying the resiliency approach to both individual students and to the school environment as a whole.

Resiliency

Resiliency Keys for building resiliency in the environment Caring and Support

High Expectations Opportunities for Meaningful Participation

What is the home, school and community attitude?

Resiliency Keys to reducing risk factors in the environment: Teach “Life Skills”

Set clear, consistent boundaries Increased prosocial bonding

Resiliency •Change our mindset - focus on the child’s strengths •Focus on what the child is doing right • What went right for you today? • You had difficulty getting to school, but you made it! That shows determination!

•Acknowledge and name the effective behavior. Verbally saying it can add to a child’s self-image and increase self-efficacy.

Resiliency The core of resiliency is relationship. Get to know your students, be persistent, laugh with them. Let them get to know you. A caring adult can make a huge difference in a child’s life.

The resiliency approach benefits all.