Raising Resilient Kids Raising Resilient Kids in the in the

21st Century21st Century

The Healthy Kids Alberta! Stakeholder Forum

Edmonton, AlbertaMarch 7, 2007

A Presentation by

Chris B. RushChris B. RushFounder and President

Resiliency Institute of Canada

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

Raising Resilient Kids Raising Resilient Kids in the 21st in the 21st

CenturyCentury

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 the internal and external protective factors discovered in the resiliency research.

We need to ‘begin with the end in mind’.

“It takes a village to raise a child!”

The Five Worlds The Five Worlds of Childhood of Childhood

1. Family

2. Schools

3. Peers

4. Community

5. Media*

Greatest Human NeedsGreatest Human Needs

SafetySafety - I am free from physical or psychological threat (real or imagined).

Love & BelongingLove & Belonging - I feel unqualified love or acceptance from at least one other person.

Meaning & PurposeMeaning & Purpose - My efforts and contributions are needed, valued & recognized.

CapableCapable - I feel confident in my ability to learn, achieve goals and overcome adversity.

Autonomy & FreedomAutonomy & Freedom - I have a sense of power and control over what my life becomes.

Fun & JoyFun & Joy - I need to laugh often and experience periods of pure joy!

The 3 Components of ChangeThe 3 Components of Change

Managing at the Speed of Change

Dr. Darryl R. Conner

1. Magnitude or Volume There is more change occurring than ever before in the history of the planet!

2. Complexity or Sophistication It’s more complex, confusing and is tending to overwhelm more and more people!

3. Speed or Momentum Change is happening more quickly and in shorter periods of time. Exponential Growth!

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

Tomorrow’s Scientific and Tomorrow’s Scientific and Technological PromisesTechnological 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

The 20202020 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.

THE WORLD IS FLATTHE WORLD IS FLAT

Thomas L. Friedman

The Flatteners

Fall of the Berlin Wall (opened up Europe)

The Internet and Netscape Common software platforms

Open source code enabling global collaboration OutsourcingOffshoring

Supply chainingInsourcing

* Can Canadians compete on a global level?

Risk Factors for Canadian Risk Factors for Canadian Children & YouthChildren & 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

Pioneering Resiliency Pioneering Resiliency ResearchersResearchers

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

Research on Research on Resilient ChildrenResilient 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.

A Definition of ResiliencyA 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

Protective Factors for Protective Factors for Children and YouthChildren 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 emotions well)• A sense of control over one’s life (autonomy)• Involved in extra-curricular activities

Four Purposes For Using Four Purposes For Using Resiliency Building StrategiesResiliency 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.

Resilience as ThrivingResilience as Thriving**When confronted with adversity, change or challenge in life, individuals typically often respond in one of three modes:

SURVIVALSURVIVAL - Individual continues to function, but in an impaired fashion.

RECOVERYRECOVERY - Individual returns to previous levels of psychological and social functioning.

**THRIVINGTHRIVING - Individual grows beyond original level of psycho-social functioning. He or she grows vigorously, flourishes, thrives! Adversity promotes new strength.

The Resiliency QuotientThe Resiliency Quotient

The synergistic effect of the internal and external protective factorsprotective factors when fully utilized, may be used predict the following traits, qualities and characteristics for individuals:

* Longevity * Motivation * Empowerment * Longevity * Motivation * Empowerment *Joy *Creativity *Productivity *Learning*Joy *Creativity *Productivity *Learning *Happiness *Emotional well-being *Energy*Happiness *Emotional well-being *Energy *Physical health *Persistence *Attitude *Physical health *Persistence *Attitude *Courage *Compassion *Hope*Courage *Compassion *Hope

Important Points Important Points About ResiliencyAbout Resiliency

• Resiliency building is not a quick fixis 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.

The 7 Keys to ResiliencyThe 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

I think we all agree.The past is over.

President, George W. Bush

What Our Kids Really NeedWhat 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.

Man’s Search for MeaningMan’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

““Be the ChangeBe the Changeyou want to seeyou want to seein the world.”in the world.” Gandhi