Building Strong Kids: A Simple Guide to Back-to-School Success

As you get ready for another school year in Boone County, you're probably making lists, buying supplies, and thinking about how to help your kids do well. While good grades matter, one of the best things you can teach your children is resilience. This means helping them bounce back when things get tough.

What Is Resilience and Why Is It Important?

Resilience doesn't mean avoiding problems or pretending everything is perfect. It means learning how to handle challenges and come back stronger. Kids with resilience can better deal with school stress, friend problems, and everyday disappointments.

The great news is that resilience can be learned at any age. According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is like a muscle that gets stronger with practice. As we start the new school year, there are simple ways parents can help build this important life skill.

Building Strong Routines (But Not Too Many)

Having regular daily routines helps kids feel safe and in control. When children know what to expect, they handle surprises better. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that consistent routines help reduce stress and improve behavior.

Try building routines around:

Morning time - Start each day the same way. Maybe eat breakfast together or spend a few minutes talking about the day ahead.

After school - Give kids time to relax before homework or activities. This might mean having a snack, playing outside, or just talking about their day.

Bedtime - Keep bedtimes consistent. Turn off screens early and maybe read together or talk about good things that happened.

Why Kids Need Free Time

Many parents want to give their children lots of opportunities, but it's easy to fill up every minute of their day. While activities are good, children also need free time to think, play, and just be kids.

Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that unstructured play time helps children:

• Learn to solve problems on their own

• Handle being bored in healthy ways

• Deal with their feelings

• Become more independent

• Find out what they really like

When planning your family's week, leave some empty spaces. Even 30 minutes of free time after school can make a big difference.

Simple Ways to Build Resilience

Let them solve problems. When your child has a problem, don't fix it right away. Ask questions like "What could you try?" or "How did you handle this before?" Help guide them, but let them find the answer.

Show them how you handle stress. Kids learn by watching. When you're stressed or upset, talk about how you're dealing with it. Show them it's normal to feel frustrated and demonstrate healthy ways to cope.

Praise effort, not just results. Tell your child you're proud of their hard work and willingness to try, even if things don't turn out perfectly. Harvard researchers found that praising effort helps kids develop a "growth mindset".

Give them responsibilities. Age appropriate jobs and freedoms help kids feel confident. This might mean letting them make their own lunch, walk to a friend's house, or solve a problem with their sibling.

Help them build friendships. Strong relationships are one of the most important parts of resilience, according to research from the University of Minnesota. Help your child make friends and spend one-on-one time with them regularly.

Finding the Right Balance

Building resilience isn't about filling your schedule with character-building activities. It's about creating a balanced home where children feel supported but not overwhelmed.

Its  recommended that children have both structured activities and plenty of free time. As you plan for the school year, remember that some of the most important learning happens at home during quiet moments.

Looking Ahead

This school year will have both good times and challenges. By building resilience through balanced routines and free time, you're helping your child develop skills that will last a lifetime.

The Child Mind Institute reminds us that resilient children aren't born that way - they develop these skills through practice and support⁷. With your help, your child can learn not just to succeed, but to handle whatever comes their way with confidence.

Here's to a year of growth and building strength in our Boone County children.