Resilient Families, Resilient Children: Helping Young Children Thrive

No one gets through life without stress; in fact, some stress can be an opportunity for learning and becoming stronger. But recent years have pushed many of us over the edge, with uncertainty about health, work, schooling, finances, social relations and more. Too many young children have fallen behind in development, in part due to disruptions in care, education and social opportunities. This is a time to dig deeply into what enables young children to bounce back and thrive – to be resilient in the face of difficulty. Research has shown that family resilience is key to child resilience. So, what enables families to be resilient?   This week’s Mom Enough guest, Deb Ottman, from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Early Education and Development, is doing just that. She is digging into those important questions through a Learn the Signs, Act Early grant-funded project administered through the CDC and the Association for University Disabilities Centers (AUCD). Deb brings a wealth of understanding about what family resilience looks like; the role of parents as a child’s “safe person”; how parental self-care and reflection help shape young children’s self-regulation and executive function; and the importance of giving our children the language of emotion, both through example and teaching. Marti and Erin thank Learn the Signs, Act Early – Minnesota for sponsoring this episode of Mom Enough.     WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE TO BE A RESILIENT FAMILY? Reflecting on this Mom Enough discussion with Deb Ottman, what did you learn about the keys to being a resilient family? Think of real-life examples of how you have been your child’s safe person at times of stress or challenge. And in what ways do you give your child the language of emotion in moments of upset?     WANT TO LEARN MORE? ❉ MN LEARN THE SIGNS ACT EARLY.  Check out this site to learn the signs of typical child development and how you can get your child screened -- and act early -- if your child is not meeting developmental milestones.   ❉ CDC LEARN THE SIGNS ACT EARLY. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a free downloadable milestone tracker app and many other resources on child development. Check out this site for additional resources.   ❉ CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH: SUPPORTING RESILIENCE IN CHALLENGING TIMES. Stephanie Combey shares how signs of mental health problems show up in the brain, body and behavior of children of all ages; key strategies parents can use to help their children through rough times; and what kinds of therapeutic services are available even during a pandemic. Listen to this podcast for more on resilience.