Grade 6

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Counseling? How do those two tie together? By Dominika Pellegrini, School Psychologist

As a breast cancer survivor myself, I often find the month of October a time of reflection when I am reminded daily with messages around me,  pink ribbons, pink clothing, pink outs, donations and bc walks. Cancer is one of those things unfortunately that has touched each of our lives in one way or another. The question is how do we deal with something that is so awful to begin with? How do we deal with the challenges life throws at us? How do we overcome the obstacles in our way? 

If there is one thing that cancer taught me it’s that “I can do hard things”. A message that another survivor told me as I began my own journey. A message that has infused its way into my daily work with students, with my own family and in my day to day responsibilities. When there is nothing to do but move forward, you do!  This is something we all do as educators, parents, coaches, and friends. We help our kids through difficult things. We help build resilience, helping kids find their own strengths to overcome their own challenges or obstacles. That is the work we all do. 

It is important that we help kids understand that they possess the power within them to make the changes they want to see, to work through the things that are difficult for them and to reach the goals they have set for themselves. We are not there to remove the obstacles in their way, but rather guide them to learn how to jump over, climb over or work around those obstacles. In teaching them how to face these challenges rather than avoid them we help build their resiliency. In building resiliency we also decrease their anxieties and levels of stress. We help them increase their self-reliance. We teach them to get back up when they fall, to keep moving forward, to make mistakes and stretch themselves. That is where the growth happens. So when you are feeling discouraged, stressed, frustrated or just want to give up, remember “You can do hard things!”.

Here are some additional resources on resiliency:

Books:

Raising Resilient Children : Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child By Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein

The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child by Daniel Siegel

Strategies:

Teach Problem-Solving Skills:

• Encourage children to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and make decisions. This empowers them to handle challenges independently.

Encourage Independence:

• Give children age-appropriate responsibilities and tasks to foster independence and a sense of accomplishment.

Provide Opportunities for Decision-Making:

• Allow children to make choices within boundaries. This helps them gain confidence in their decision-making abilities.

Model Resilience:

• Children often learn by observing adults. Model how to handle challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude and resilience.

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Success:

• Praise your child's hard work and determination, not just the outcome. This encourages a focus on the process, not just the result.

Encourage Perseverance:

• Teach children not to give up when they face obstacles. Emphasize that making mistakes is part of the learning process.

Expose Them to New Experiences:

• Encourage children to step out of their comfort zones and try new activities. This builds adaptability and confidence.