Learning Strengths – another key individual factor in developing resilience
As with temperament (Temper, temper, temperament? Understanding and Working with a Child’s Temperament), an individual’s learning strengths are a combination of in-born intelligence and the knowledge and skills they acquire through formal and informal education. Individuals who have high-intelligence, good problem and decision-making skills, and are creative, motivated and goal-oriented are more successful, which leads to higher self-esteem and greater overall resilience.
The Importance of Play
Providing a stimulating environment, that offers many opportunities for creative play, is important for developing young children’s learning strengths. Play helps to encourage spontaneity, creativity, social interaction, concentration, physical and language skills. Research, by Dr. Fraser Mustard clearly demonstrates that stimulation and nutrition (including nutrition during pregnancy), in the early years, sets neurological and biological pathways for life – for health, learning and behaviour.
What is Positive Stimulation?
It is very important for children to be held. Holding infants affects cortisol regulation – the stress hormone that affects all cells in the body, including the brain. If cortisol levels are too high, an area of the brain called the hippocampus will shut down and therefore learning will also be shut down. Providing positive stimulation is about creating a positive experience. When reading to infants and children, hold them while reading. Through holding and reading, one is passing stimuli into the brain through the parent’s smell, the sound of the parent’s voice, the touch of their arms as well as the pictures. Doing physical activity together is also good for brain development. Supporting children and youth with their homework, early literacy skills, reading aloud, making decisions, understanding the steps of problem solving, and finding and pursuing a passion are also important elements for building resilience.
Some children may have learning disabilities, attention difficulties or low-confidence about their learning abilities. Dr. Mel Levine has written much on the topic of All Kinds of Minds. This book is a compilation of children’s stories that demonstrate how different brains operate.
What Are Multiple Intelligences ?
The information on Multiple Intelligences is another excellent resource that helps children identify their learning strengths from a wide variety of categories. Children feel positive about themselves as they describe themselves as being “nature smart”, “word smart”, “music smart”, “people smart”, “body smart”, “number smart”, “picture smart” and/or “self smart”.
By being exposed to a variety of environments, and with encouragement, young individuals learn how to handle different social situations, interact with different people, try new things, learn from experiences and continue to grow.
“A Child Needs Encouragement Like A Plant Needs Water”
-Dr. Rudolph Dreikurs
If this information could be useful for a friend or family member, please forward this article.
Warmly,
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