Building resilience in children and the benefits of play

Now more than ever, children need resilience. Resilience is critical to self-regulate, make good decisions and negotiate the many challenges in life. In an ever-changing, rushed, and risk-averse world, our society is becoming increasingly fast-paced. As a result, children’s spontaneous play is being replaced by more structured activities. The NQS requires educators to provide resources, materials and equipment in the environment that children can explore and use freely in their play, which are challenging and allow children to take appropriate risks (NQS, 3.2.2).

Learning goals:

• Better understand and be able to articulate the benefits of play.
• Communicate to families the benefits of social and emotional learning and play
• Provide environments that promote resilience and self-regulation in children. 
• Manage risks from the environment, not eliminate them.

Completing Building resilience in children and the benefits of play may contribute one-hour of PD that aligns with the NESA (NSW) criteria for Elective PD and addresses:

The Australian Professionals Standards for Teachers: APST 1: Know children and how they learn

The EYLF Learning Outcomes: Outcome 2: Children are connected and contribute to their world

The National Quality Standard: QA 3: Physical environment