Wellbeing
Building Resilience in our Children: Lessons from Australian Olympians
Welcome back to another week of Galilee’s Wellbeing Toolbox. With the Olympics fast approaching, we thought it would be a great opportunity to look at our amazing Australian athletes to inspire us all in building resilience in our everyday lives.
Resilience is a vital skill for children, much like the determination and perseverance displayed by Australian athletes. These athletes provide an excellent model for teaching resilience, showing how hard work, dedication, and the ability to overcome setbacks leads to success. Here are some ways to use the stories of Australian athletes to build resilience in our students.
1. Share Inspirational Stories
Introduce your child(ren) to stories of Australian athletes who have faced and overcome significant challenges. For example, discuss the journey of Cathy Freeman, who won gold in the 400 meters at the Sydney 2000 Olympics despite immense pressure and personal challenges. These stories can inspire children to stay motivated and resilient in the face of difficulties.
2. Promote a Growth Mindset
Australian athletes often speak about their failures and how they learned from them. Teaching our children that setbacks are part of the journey to success, is an invaluable lesson we can share with them. Highlight quotes and experiences from athletes like Ian Thorpe, who faced and overcame numerous challenges to become one of Australia’s greatest swimmers.
"It's not the obstacles that define you; it's how you overcome them,"
3. Encourage Goal Setting
Athletes set and pursue goals with dedication. Help your child(ren) set realistic and achievable goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal development. Celebrate their progress, reinforcing the idea that consistent effort leads to improvement.
4. Model Resilience
Just as athletes model resilience through their training and competitions, adults can model resilient behavior in everyday life. Share personal stories of perseverance and how you have overcome obstacles, showing your child(ren) that resilience is a valuable life skill.
5. Foster Teamwork and Supportive Relationships
Australian athletes often train and compete as part of a team, supporting each other through challenges. Encouraging our children to work together will build friendships and provide support for their peers. This creates a network of mutual encouragement and resilience.
6. Teach Problem-Solving Skills
Athletes must constantly adapt their strategies to overcome obstacles. Encouraging our children to think critically and come up with solutions when they face problems will stand to them in all future endeavours. Use examples from sports to illustrate how different strategies can lead to success.
7. Promote Physical Health
Physical health is crucial for both athletes and children. Ensure children engage in regular physical activity, which can help reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. Use the stories of athletes like Ash Barty, who combines tennis with other physical activities, to discuss the importance of fitness and healthy habits.
8. Encourage Emotional Expression
Just as athletes express their emotions, children should feel comfortable sharing their feelings. Create a safe space for them to talk about their experiences and emotions, using activities like drawing, writing, or role-playing to help them articulate their thoughts.
9. Set Realistic Expectations
Help your child(ren) understand that not every goal will be achieved immediately, and that setbacks are part of the journey. Share stories of athletes like Jessica Fox, who faced multiple failures before achieving success in canoeing, reinforcing the idea that perseverance is key.
10. Introduce Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Athletes often use mindfulness and relaxation techniques to stay focused and manage stress. Teaching our children simple mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing exercises or visualisation, to help them stay calm and focused.
Activities to Build Resilience with an Australian Athlete Theme
- Athlete Story Time: Read books or watch documentaries about Australian athletes, discussing their journeys and the obstacles they overcame.
- Research Project: Undertake a fun collaborative project, researching an athlete from the 2024 Olympic team and track their journey to representing Australia in Paris.
- Goal Setting Exercise: Have children write down their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve them, similar to how athletes plan their training.
- Team Challenges: Organise team activities and games that require cooperation and problem-solving, fostering a sense of teamwork and resilience.
By drawing parallels between the resilience of Australian athletes and the challenges children face, we can provide them with a powerful framework for developing resilience. Let’s use the inspiration of these athletes to help our young learners build a strong foundation for their future.
Enjoy the next few weeks of magic!
Julie and Paddy