University of Washington expert shares five ways to build child resilience

Suzan J. Song, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington, has outlined five key parenting techniques to foster psychological resilience in children. According to Song, true resilience is not merely about endurance, but the ability to take action, build connections, and maintain a positive attitude even during adversity.

The five recommended strategies include:

1. Allowing children to experience both success and failure to build a sense of competence. 2. Focusing on what the child cares about rather than forcing specific career paths. 3. Teaching interpersonal skills, such as conflict resolution and setting boundaries, to navigate future social challenges. 4. Encouraging children to help others to prevent them from becoming overly self-focused during difficult times. 5. Allowing children to experience and process negative emotions rather than rushing to eliminate them, helping them learn that they can recover from sadness or disappointment.