ABOUT OUR EXPERT
Ms Lim is Lead Lecturer at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) – Ngee Ann Polytechnic campus. A former preschool principal, she teaches modules on learning environment, classroom management, social-emotional learning and child development. She is also a practicum and internship supervisor for pre-service teachers and a coach for in-service teachers.
Imagine there are two children playing with blocks in a classroom. Child A cries when her tower is accidentally knocked down by Child B. This may seem to be a negative experience at first glance, but it can be an opportunity to help children build emotional resilience and develop problem-solving skills.
First, acknowledge Child A's feelings and model emotional expression and empathy (e.g. “I see you're feeling sad because your tower was knocked over”). Next, gently suggest a perspective shift (e.g. “How about both of you work together to build a bigger tower?”), which reframes the negative experience.
In this way, everyday experiences become meaningful opportunities for authentic, teachable moments — helping to lay a strong foundation for emotional resilience in the early years.
SECURING A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Resilience does not mean suppressing strong or negative emotions. Instead, it's about developing the skills and capacity to cope with adversity and adapt to challenges.
Self-regulation and resilience are closely linked. To foster resilience in children, parents and educators should guide them in recognising and expressing their emotions constructively within a safe and supportive environment. Feelings like anger or sadness should never be dismissed but acknowledged as part of healthy emotional development.
Craft activities are a good way to help children recognise, understand and express different emotions.
As part of NIEC's Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education, students learn practical strategies to foster social and emotional development in the classroom. Examples include:
- Giving effective praise that focuses on effort
- Helping children develop friendship skills during group activities
- Reading stories that promote positive values, social and emotional competencies, and learning dispositions
- Setting up socio-dramatic play scenarios that encourage perspective-taking and constructive dialogue
Don't reserve praise only for when children succeed at a task. Praise the effort they put in, and not just the outcome. This helps children build a positive self-image and see setbacks or mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.
KNOWING WHEN AND HOW TO INTERVENE
Intentional collaboration and regular communication between parents and educators are essential to provide consistent support for children.
Families and preschools may sometimes have different approaches. For instance, the parenting style could be one where children are expected to meet standards without making mistakes. What's important is finding common ground. Parents can discuss their expectations, while educators can explain their classroom practices and how the child is progressing. Working together ensures a supportive environment for the child.
Children should be allowed to fall and make mistakes, within safe limits, so they can learn to persevere and become more resilient.
Give children the autonomy to try things their own way and make mistakes, so long as they’re safe. This builds their competence and is empowering. Observe whether the child can manage the task on their own and assist only when needed. Gradually reduce support as they improve. For children who are anxious, provide reassurance to build their confidence and encourage them to express their feelings.
Consider each child’s age, skill level and temperament when helping them cope. Some children may struggle to adapt to new situations and react more strongly in unfamiliar environments. Make time to listen, explain the situation clearly, and introduce different perspectives to ease transitions.
Can perseverance and resilience be taught? Yes, but not by simply explaining the word. These qualities must be steadily fostered through daily routines, supported by a caring and nurturing environment that offers guidance and comfort during challenging or stressful moments.
