Nurturing the Seed of Infinite Potentialities in Every Child
All About
Resilience
By pip o. the Hippo
Our new research assistant, pip o. the Hippo, shares book, podcast, and video recs about promoting resiliency in children.
Book: I Am Courage by Susan Verde
Podcast: Speaking of Psychology (APA)
Hello, my wonderful friends! Welcome to my Curiosity Club, where I’ll be recommending some of my favourite stories, podcasts, and talks that inspire us to be strong and brave, even when things get tough. Whether you are a young reader or an adult on the go, there’s something here for everyone.
Throughout this issue, my teammates have shown us how creativity can be a powerful protective factor. If you are a young reader, or if you have a little one at home, and you want a story about resilience, then I recommend the book, I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde. This book explores courage not from the perspective of superheroes, but from the perspective of facing challenges when we feel sad, scared, or anxious.
Hope helps us move forward – it’s like the fuel that keeps the engine of resilience running. For the adult readers, I know you have many activities to juggle, much like my parents, who often listen to audiobooks or podcasts on the go. The American Psychological Association (APA) has a podcast called, Speaking of Psychology. In episode 265, Professor Chan Hellman and Professor Jacquline Matti have a wonderful conversation on “Why We Need Hope.” We’ve all heard the phrase “the glass is half full”, often used to describe optimistic people. It turns out, as these researchers discuss, maintaining an optimistic outlook can truly help us move forward in life. You can listen to this podcast at https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/hope.
Video: Grit by Angela Lee Duckworth
Some final thoughts: I have learned from my teammates and from these recommendations that resilience is not just a word. Resilience is not about asking folks to “bounce back” or “snap out of it”. Quite the opposite, overcoming adversity involves the support of loved ones and good knowledge. Resilience can be learned, and like any other skill, it takes time to develop. Patience, kindness, and love are key.
For now, I say goodbye, and I’ll see you in our next issue!
Have you ever been afraid of failing math or any other class in school? Have you ever felt that a setback could stop you from succeeding? I found an inspiring TED Talk called “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Lee Duckworth. Angela studies how grit, the determination to bounce back from problems and keep going, can be a predictor of future success. In other words, passion and perseverance can help us overcome adversity. You can watch this TED Talk at
