Building Resilience in Children
A recent BBC article highlights a growing concern for children’s mental health and the pressing need to bolster resilience among young people. As a positive psychologist working mainly in primary schools, I wholeheartedly agree that resilience is a cornerstone of thriving childhoods. However, the tools to foster it are not a distant aspiration; they already exist and are being successfully implemented through positive education.
Resilience isn’t an innate trait some children are born with
It is a skill that can be both learned and taught. Leaders in positive psychology, such as Martin Seligman have emphasised the role of resilience in helping children bounce back from setbacks. Seligman, often regarded as the father of positive psychology, notes that “Optimism is invaluable for meeting life’s inevitable setbacks” (from his book Learned Optimism)—a sentiment that underscores the importance of building mental strength in schools. Optimism, a key facet of resilience, helps children approach challenges with confidence and determination.
Positive education, which integrates the principles of positive psychology into teaching, provides a structured way to develop resilience. Schools adopting this approach report significant improvements not only in mental well-being but also in academic performance. Research shows that interventions grounded in positive psychology can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by 30-40%, while also enhancing grades and attendance rates.
As UK schools increasingly recognise the value of positive education, I offer a 3-day training programme called Everyday Magic. Approved by the British Psychological Society (BPS), it equips entire school staff teams with practical tools to weave positive psychology into every corner of school life—from classrooms to staff rooms. Feedback from headteachers who have implemented Everyday Magic is overwhelmingly positive, with many noting a noticeable shift in both pupil and teacher well-being.
To see these changes firsthand, visit my YouTube channel. It features how-to videos for teachers and a series of interviews with heads sharing how Everyday Magic has transformed their schools.
Primary schools are uniquely positioned to instil resilience. Children’s formative years shape how they approach challenges for the rest of their lives. Embedding positive psychology principles early not only strengthens their capacity to cope but also lays the foundation for a lifetime of flourishing. Large-scale adoption of these principles in teacher training and school curriculums is the next logical step.
The time for action is now
Mental health issues are on the rise, and children deserve an education that prepares them for life’s challenges. Positive education offers a pathway forward—one that is evidence-based and already showing remarkable results in schools across the UK.
Let’s come together—educators, psychologists, parents, and policymakers—to champion this movement. By embracing positive education, we can ensure every child has the tools to thrive. Together, we can make resilience the norm, not the exception.
