Historically, the focus has been on medical and psychological pathologies and deficiencies rather than strengths.

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Historically, the focus has been on medical and
psychological pathologies and deficiencies rather
than strengths. At-Risk - new term to describe
the decrease in quality education and increase of
students in jeopardy. (A Nation at Risk,
1983) We were looking at whats wrong . . .
Rather than whats right
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The shift has moved from identifying the
To identifying the
Risks
STRENGTHS
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So what does resiliency mean?
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• So what does resiliency mean?
• Capacity for successful adaptation despite
  challenging or threatening situations
• An inherent characteristic that exists in some
  degree in all of us
• Resilience is itself normative

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• So what does resiliency mean?
• Persons ability to remain steady or to bounce
  back in spite of adversity.
• Resilient person draws on strengths, internally
  and environmental,
• to overcome challenges.

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External Factors Risk or Protective Environment
Harm or Nurture?
Family
Community
The Child
School
Other people
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What are the risk factors?
Chronic Poverty
Suicide
Neglect
Depression
Non-English Speaking
Abuse
Disruptive Behaviors
others
Parental Psychopathologies
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RISK FACTORS Cumulative effect - more
adversities lead to more dysfunction and
vulnerabilities. Predispose a child to negative
developmental outcomes Labels children AT-RISK
- what words come to mind?
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What minimizes risk factors? Protective factors
- supports and opportunities that buffer the
effects of risk factors.
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Buffers protective factors make a more
profound impact on the life course of children
who grow up under adverse conditions than do
specific risk factors or stressful life events.
They appear to transcend ethnic, social class,
geographical, and historical boundaries.
Werner Smith, 1992
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External Factors
Community
Family
The Child
Other people
School
Internal Personality Traits
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Internal Factors Personal Strengths
Social Competence
Problem Solving
Autonomy
Sense of purpose
Positive Identity Internal Locus of
control Self-efficacy Mastery Adaptive
Distancing Resistance Self-Awareness Humor
Responsiveness Communication Empathy Caring Com
passion Altruism Forgiveness
Planning Flexibility Resourcefulness Critical
Thinking Insight
Goal Directed Achievement Motivation Educational
Aspirations Creativity Special
Interests Optimism Hope Faith
Spirituality Sense of Meaning
Fostering Resiliency in Kids Benard (1991)
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SEL - Social and Emotional Learning Works to
develop core competences Self-awareness Social
awareness Self-management Relationship
skills Responsible decision-making
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• Other traits of a resilient person
• Easy temperament or disposition
• Likable, friendly, sociable
• True to self, resist pressure to do negative
  things
• Competence - being good at something
• Other characteristics describe a resilient person?

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Search Institute

• 40 Developmental Assets building blocks of
  healthy development.
• External Assets Positive, structured growth
  environments (e.g,, support, empowerment,
  boundaries, expectations, constructive use of
  time)
• Internal Assets commitment to learning, positive
  values, social competencies, positive identity
• http//www.search-institute.org

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So how do we build these internal protective
assets in students? We begin by applying the
resiliency approach to both individual students
and to the school environment as a whole.
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Keys for building resiliency in the environment
Caring and Support High Expectations Opportun
ities for Meaningful Participation What is the
home, school and community attitude?
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Keys to reducing risk factors in the environment
Teach Life Skills Set clear, consistent
boundaries Increased prosocial bonding
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• Change our mindset - focus on the childs
  strengths
• Focus on what the child is doing right
• What went right for you today?
• You had difficulty getting to school, but you
  made it! That shows determination!

• Acknowledge and name the effective behavior.
  Verbally saying it can add to a childs
  self-image and increase self-efficacy.

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The core of resiliency is relationship. Get to
know your students, be persistent, laugh with
them. Let them get to know you. A caring adult
can make a huge difference in a childs life.
The resiliency approach benefits all.