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Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st Century

Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st Century. The Healthy Kids Alberta! Stakeholder Forum Edmonton, Alberta March 7, 2007 A Presentation by Chris B. Rush Founder and President Resiliency Institute of Canada.

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Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st Century

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  1. Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st Century The Healthy Kids Alberta! Stakeholder Forum Edmonton, Alberta March 7, 2007 A Presentation by Chris B. Rush Founder and President Resiliency Institute of Canada

  2. “What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.”Richard Bach

  3. Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st Century • Question: What will our children need to survive and thrive in the 21st century? • We need to understand the unique challenges facing our youth today and tomorrow! • We need to empower children and teens with theinternal and externalprotective factorsdiscovered in the resiliency research. • We need to ‘begin with the end in mind’. • “It takes a village to raise a child!”

  4. The Five Worlds of Childhood • 1. Family • 2. Schools • 3. Peers • 4. Community • 5. Media*

  5. Greatest Human Needs Safety - I am free from physical or psychological threat (real or imagined). Love & Belonging - I feel unqualified love or acceptance from at least one other person. Meaning & Purpose - My efforts and contributions are needed, valued & recognized. Capable- I feel confident in my ability to learn, achieve goals and overcome adversity. Autonomy & Freedom - I have a sense of power and control over what my life becomes. Fun & Joy- I need to laugh often and experience periods of pure joy!

  6. The 3 Components of ChangeManaging at the Speed of ChangeDr. Darryl R. Conner • 1. Magnitude or VolumeThere is more change occurring than ever before in the history of the planet! • 2.Complexity or SophisticationIt’s more complex, confusing and is tending to overwhelm more and more people! • 3. Speed or MomentumChange is happening more quickly and in shorter periods of time. Exponential Growth!

  7. In Times of Change “In times of change,learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to live in a worldthat no longer exists”.Eric Hoffer

  8. Tomorrow’s Scientific and Technological Promises • Life Extension (120 years) • Genetic engineering (cloning of humans?) • Robotics and Nano-technology • Wireless Internet service worldwide • Human Genome Project • Pollution free energy • Virtual reality

  9. The 2020 Challenge Evolutionary Bounce or Crash?Dr.Duane Elgin (Scientist and Futurist) • Global climate changes, e.g., global warming. • World population growth (in some regions). • Mass extinction of species and their habitats. • Poverty and diminished economic opportunity. • Widespread diseases (pandemics). • Pollution of air, soil and water resources. • Wars (political & religious). • Worldwide terrorism.

  10. THE WORLD IS FLATThomas L. Friedman The FlattenersFall of the Berlin Wall (opened up Europe)The Internet and NetscapeCommon software platforms Open source code enabling global collaborationOutsourcingOffshoringSupply chainingInsourcing * Can Canadians compete on a global level?

  11. Risk Factors for Canadian Children & Youth • High rate of teen pregnancy • Increase in sexually transmitted diseases • Misuse of tobacco, alcohol, drugs • Teen suicide rate up 300% since 1960’s • Dramatic rise in eating disorders (27% of girls) • One in five children live at the poverty level • High rates of obesity, poor physical condition • High rates of adolescent depression • Increasing bullying, violence & gang activity

  12. Pioneering Resiliency Researchers • Dr. Norman Garmezy - University of Minnesota • Dr. Michael Rutter- Institute of Psychiatry – London • Dr. Emmy Werner - University of California • Dr. Martin Seligman - University of Pennsylvania • Dr. Ann Masten - University of Minnesota • Bonnie Benard - Educational Research & Development • Dr. Dan Offord - McMaster University • Dr. Peter L. Benson - The Search Institute • Dr. Paul Steinhauer - Psychiatrist & Researcher

  13. Research on Resilient Children RISK FACTORS- negatively influence or impact children’s physical health, emotional well-being, academic success, and their attitudes and behaviour. PROTECTIVE FACTORS- positively influence and support children’s physical health, emotional well-being, academic success and attitudes and behaviour.

  14. A Definition of Resiliency “The capacity of an individual to bounce back and thrive despite encountering personal adversity, or rapid social, political and technological change.” Chris B. Rush

  15. Protective Factors for Children and Youth • Love, acceptance and support by at least one adult • Good inter-personal skills (communicates well) • Healthy self-esteem (competency & self-respect) • Trust, optimism and a sense of hope • Psychological hardiness (ability to manage stress) • Faith, religion, belief in a higher power • Personal values and principles • Emotional intelligence (manages emotionswell) • A sense of control over one’s life (autonomy) • Involved in extra-curricular activities

  16. Four Purposes For Using Resiliency Building Strategies 1. To overcome the obstacles of childhood, e.g., broken home, abuse, poverty, neglect, etc. 2. To manage everyday adversities, e.g., daily stress, with family members and peers, school pressure. 3. To deal with a major life altering event, e.g., a serious illness or accident, death of a parent or sibling, divorce of parents, etc. 4. To find renewed meaning and purpose in life, e.g., be open to new experiences and achieve one’s full human and spiritual potential.

  17. Resilience as Thriving* When confronted with adversity, change or challenge in life, individuals typically often respond in one of three modes: SURVIVAL-Individual continues to function, but in an impaired fashion. RECOVERY- Individual returns to previous levels of psychological and social functioning. *THRIVING - Individual grows beyond original level of psycho-social functioning. He or she grows vigorously, flourishes, thrives! Adversity promotes new strength.

  18. The Resiliency Quotient The synergistic effect of theinternal and externalprotective factors when fully utilized, may be used predict the following traits, qualities and characteristics for individuals: * Longevity * Motivation * Empowerment *Joy *Creativity *Productivity *Learning *Happiness *Emotional well-being *Energy *Physical health *Persistence *Attitude *Courage *Compassion *Hope

  19. Important Points About Resiliency • Resiliency building is not a quick fix. It is a process that takes place over time. • Resiliency is the synergy of personal traits, strengths, characteristics & social supports. • Resilient does not mean invulnerable! • Resiliency building can be used cross-culturally. • Resiliency building strategies are similar for children, teens and adults. • Resiliency can be taught and learned at any age or stage of life.

  20. The 7 Keys to ResiliencyMoving from Theory to Everyday Life 1.Mind Power 2. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) 3. Positive Relationships 4. Mastery Learning 5. Moral Intelligence 6. A Compelling Future 7. Principled Leadership

  21. I think we all agree.The past is over.President, George W. Bush

  22. What Our Kids Really Need • To know how to use their brains and their minds to succeed in life. • To learn how to give and receive love. • To know who they are - who they really are! • To live their lives with courage and passion.

  23. Man’s Search for Meaning“We must never forget that we may also find meaning to life even when confronted with ahopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what matters then is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform apersonal tragedy into triumph, to turn one’s predicament into human achievement. Whenwe are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves.”Dr. Viktor Frankl

  24. “Be the Changeyou want to seein the world.”Gandhi

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