Building resilience is something that takes time and is often developed through setbacks.

Is it therefore a surprise that resilience is a key characteristic in the vast majority of anyone successful?

Absolutely not…at regular points throughout our lives, curveballs are thrown at us which we have to deal with.

Often, we develop resilience by learning from these adverse situations.

However, one question that has always sprung to my mind, is can we teach resilience?

Many researchers and writers opine that resilience is a ‘teachable’ facet of education.

Indeed, while researching some background reading for this article, I came across a plethora of pieces that suggest resilience can – and should – be taught, especially with children.

Whilst I agree that children’s resilience is an essential life skill, I think it is a value that gets ‘instilled’ in children and young adults, more through trial and error than through traditional ‘teaching’ per se.

This opinion is backed up by many psychologists, for example, Mary Alvord, who says that at its core, resilience is ‘the belief that while you can’t control everything in your life, there are many aspects you can control, including your attitude’.

I really like this sentiment, because it reflects what good tutors can do for their students: instilling a great attitude.

Qualities like determination and drive are things that should be nurtured and instilled, as they remain relatively ‘unteachable’ assets.

However, they can certainly be driven through positive criticism, positive affirmations and firm leadership while tutoring.

It is vitally important for tutors to do this, as it instils confidence and grit in students, as well as a never say die attitude that lasts a lifetime.

After all, all that anyone can ask is that you’ve tried your hardest!

Further Reading: Building Resilience in Students (Lesson Bud)