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Practical Tips

There Are Many Ways To Help Foster a Child's Prosilience No Matter Your Role In The Child's Life. Here Are Just A Few Ways To Do So:

  • Help children to try out new activities or actions.

  • Communicate what has happened and what will happen. For example, in Rana’s case, a picture schedule can also help her to feel more comfortable and in control during settling in, promoting self-efficacy and building prosilience.

  • Utilize a problem solving approach: Because Rana understands the language, she can be asked to help figure out how to solve a problem such as how to share, or what needs to be done to help something stick to a wall, etc.

  • Children’s choice of activities. Allowing Rana to be in an environment where the children choose where they want to explore during their choice time can help her to understand how much freedom and capability she has in making decisions.

  • Children must be consulted about what they want to happen. Rana will benefit from being asked how she would like a situation to occur. If she is frustrated or not participating, she can be asked what she would like to have happen and then be assured that her educators will help her figure out how to get there.

  • Involve children in tasks and responsibilities.

  • Encourage children to help one another. Rana could also enjoy and benefit from having one on one time with her peers. In these situations, Rana and her partner can focus on just interacting with one another, which can be less overwhelming. She will then know that if she needs something, she can ask her peer for help, and also know that she is capable of helping others.

  • Frequent positive encouragement. Rana may only be aware of her struggles and not the areas in which she shows strength. Encouraging her to express herself and letting her know how that her choices and self-expression helped her or someone else with something may help her a lot. For example, “Thank you for letting me know you were thirsty, that helped me know what you needed. The cups are right over there, and you are welcome to fill it up with the pitcher.”

(Bandura, 1997)