Building resilience means taking risks

Helping children take healthy risks is key to building resilience and independence. As a parent, you can start by modeling healthy risk-taking yourself. Try something new that is just beyond your current skill set — out of your comfort zone, but not in your panic zone. Share your challenges, and talk about what you learned. When children see you getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, they’re more likely to do the same.

Encourage your child to try new activities, even if they feel unsure. Whether it’s joining a club, trying out for a team or speaking up in class, celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous or make mistakes, because those moments are where the most growth happens. It’s where they can “fail forward,” and where original thinking and creativity begin. Most of all, avoid rescuing them from discomfort too quickly: sometimes the best lessons come from pushing through initial awkwardness or failure.

Create a supportive environment where your child feels safe taking risks. Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s something you’d like to try if you were absolutely 100% guaranteed to succeed?” Most importantly, have high expectations for their success, but also demonstrate a sense of humor about getting back on the proverbial horse should they fall off, with praise for courage and perseverance. With your support, your children will learn to take on challenges, build self-trust, and discover who they are meant to become.

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Brought to you by: Dr. Christopher Schoberl , Head of School

Ashbrook Independent School

ashbrookschool.org

4045 SW Research Way Corvallis, OR 97333

541-766-8313