The 7 C's of Resilience - Contribution

Contribution
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Contemporary culture is so focused on material things like video equipment, expensive shoes and clothes, cosmetics, and cars. Children naturally get swept up in this tide because they see it all around them. To counter this influence or put it in perspective, parents can support opportunities for children to give rather than receive. Children will learn that the universe doesn't revolve around them or owe them everything they desire. When they raise money for tsunami relief, collect recyclables, or tutor younger children, they gain a more realistic perspective of the world and their places in it. They begin to see beyond their isolated, self-oriented circles. They will recognize themselves as part of larger communities in which they can make a difference, no matter how small.

Children can contribute to society in a multitude of ways-collecting coins to feed the hungry, cleaning up the environment, volunteering with children who have physical disabilities, and even simple, spontaneous acts of generosity and courtesy such as holding open heavy doors for a parent pushing a baby stroller or someone carrying heavy bags.

Contribution is a nice thing to do, you may be thinking, but what does it have to do with resilience? Contribution directly fosters resilience because it helps children gain a sense of purpose in life, something positive to strive toward and achieve.

The 7 C's of Resilience

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Excerpted from the AAP Patient Education brochure, "Helping Your Child Cope With Life" published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.