Resilience - nature or nuture

Resilience means an ability to spring back, to recover from setbacks, to function under stress.

According to Dr Sam Goldstein, Editor-in Chief of the Journal of Attention Disorders, three predictors of resilience are:

• A temperament that causes a positive responses from others
• Family relationships that promote trust, independence, initiative and connections
• Community support systems that reinforce self-esteem

We can't really change a child's temperament but parents and educators can affect the other two areas. You can foster these positive skills - so in this area nuture beats nature.

More on nuturing resilience soon...