Starting school brings lots of new experiences: new friends, new routines and new challenges. Emotional resilience in children is what helps them cope when things do not go to plan, try again after a setback, and ask for help when they need it. The great news is that resilience is a skill, and the year before Prep is a wonderful time to grow it.
What is emotional resilience?
Resilience is not about never feeling sad, worried or frustrated. It is the ability to feel those big emotions, manage them, and keep going. A resilient child might still cry when they lose a game, but they can calm down, recover and join in again.
Children build resilience through warm, steady relationships with the adults around them. When they know someone is there to support them, they feel safe enough to try new things and learn from mistakes.
Help your child name and understand feelings
Children can only manage feelings they understand. Help your child put words to emotions by naming them in everyday moments: “You look frustrated that the tower fell down” or “I can see you’re excited about the party.”
Picture books are a gentle way to talk about feelings, too. Pause to ask how a character might feel and what could help them. Share your own feelings in simple terms, and show how you cope: “I’m feeling a bit cross, so I’m going to take some deep breaths.”
Practical tips to build resilience at home
Small, everyday moments are where resilience grows. Try some of these ideas:
- Let your child try things on their own first, even if it takes longer.
- Resist rushing in to fix every problem. Ask, “What could you try next?”
- Praise effort and persistence, not just results.
- Play board games where taking turns and losing are part of the fun.
- Teach a simple calming strategy, like blowing out “birthday candles” or squeezing a soft toy.
- Keep predictable routines for mornings and bedtime so children feel secure.
- Talk about times your child kept trying and succeeded.
When your child is upset, stay calm and close. Acknowledge the feeling first, then help them think about what to do. Over time, they will start to do this on their own.
Remember that resilience grows gradually. Some days your child will bounce back quickly, and other days a small upset will feel huge. Both are normal. What matters most is that they know you are on their side.
Preparing for the ups and downs of Prep
Change can feel big for young children, so talk about school in a positive, honest way. You might say, “Some things will be new, and that’s okay. Your teacher will help you.” Visiting the school, reading stories about starting school and practising the morning routine can all reduce worry.
It is normal for children to feel tired, emotional or clingy during the first weeks of Prep. A calm afternoon, a healthy snack and a cuddle can go a long way. If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing or anxiety, speak with your GP or Maternal and Child Health nurse, and the Raising Children Network has helpful information for families.
How Nest supports social and emotional growth
At Nest, our educators help children build friendships, express their feelings and solve problems together through everyday play. Guided by the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, our school readiness program places social and emotional skills alongside early literacy and numeracy, so children feel ready on the inside as well as the outside.
If you are a Keysborough family thinking about kinder, we would love to show you our Kindergarten room. Book a tour or call us on 03 9969 7057 to chat with our team.
