It is important that we learn how to adapt and be resilient in the face of adversity. But how do we do that? We do it through relationships. The more interaction you’re giving your kid at this time, the more resilient they’re going to become.
With anything that you’re doing with your kid that is between 0-8yo, keep in mind that social interaction is their greatest need developmentally. It is a time where your kid learns social interactions like negotiation skills and conflict resolution. When you help build this strong foundation for your kid through spending time with others, everything else will be easier for them.
So what is important for you as their parent, grandparent or primary caregiver?
- “Serve and return” interactions, and responsive, consistent and supportive relationships.
- Social interaction
Stress is not all bad. Stress has different levels of impact:
Positive stress:
Positive stress helps you get ready for an exam – to prepare you and help you do your best. We like positive stress as it often moves us into taking action for something important and meaningful to us.
Tolerable stress:
Tolerable stress is for a specific amount of time and it’s often buffered by a supportive adult who is responsive and supports a child during that time frame.
Toxic stress:
Toxic stress is for an indefinite amount of time. It can be neglect, an environmental stressor, any type of abuse, and more. For more on this, read up on Adverse Childhood Experiences.
With the stress of viruses and future uncertainty, we don’t always know what degree of stress we are under. What we do know, is that a supportive adult relationship that is caring and reliable is the single most helpful thing you can give to your kid. Any primary caregiver that facilitates “serve and return” connections and has one-on-one time with their kid, is going to be fostering resilience in their kid.
Outside of their relationship with you, another key need for your child is a lot of social interaction. Getting your kids involved with other kids their age to try to boost their confidence and their ability to build their brain on a really healthy foundational level, will make the world of difference.
So what now? If you’re asking whether you should sign them up to sports or any other group activities like visiting the park regularly, the answer is yes!
At this age range, your kid has a million different synapses forming every second in their brain. This is the most helpful time for them to be learning within new and novel situations. As soon as they don’t use it, they lose it. This is why screen time can be such a tough one at this age – because it can prune off some of those neural pathways and synapses that your kid really does need. But because they are facing a screen the whole time, it’s not helpful for their neural wiring of the brain. The more you get your child interacting with others, including yourself, the better.
