What Emotional Resilience Is, Why It Matters, and How to Build It in Children

The article discusses emotional resilience in children, describing it as the ability to cope with change, stress, and difficult transitions between routine and crisis. It argues that after even one day of air raid sirens, adults can feel physically and emotionally overwhelmed, and children can be affected just as deeply, especially when moving between war and ordinary life.

The piece says children need help with transitions and with understanding their changing emotional state. One example describes a child who bursts into anger, causing his perceived age or maturity to suddenly seem much younger, requiring the parent to reassess him in that moment rather than according to his usual age. Another parent says that during war and routine, children also need support when shifting between different settings and expectations.

To build resilience, the article suggests giving children practical, sensory experiences, including letting them wash vegetables so they can encounter new textures and tastes. It presents this as a simple way to broaden their world and help them engage with change in a safe, manageable way.

The article frames these ideas as especially relevant for families living through periods of instability, when children, like adults, need guidance to navigate uncertainty and move between fear and normal life.