Children learn to take hard knocks
MOLLYCODDLED children, whose parents do everything for them, are being offered classes to toughen them up by Scotland’s first official school of hard knocks.
Bounce Back Resilience Training, based on an Australian scheme, teaches youngsters how to triumph over life’s disappointments and failures. Glasgow’s Centre for Confidence and Well-being, which is already running schemes in 15 schools, says middle-class youngsters are the most likely to benefit.[>
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The centre’s chiefexecutive, Carol Craig said: “Over the last 20 years there has been a shift toward taking away independence and responsibility from children.[>
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“This is most acute in middle class areas, although it is happening elsewhere. If a child does fail a test, does not get picked for the school pantomime, or falls out with their friends, parents will go straight to the teacher.[>
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“Years ago parents would get the kids to sort these things out themselves. The purpose of this scheme is to encourage children to become more assertive and independent.[>
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One school which has taken part, Killearn Primary in Stirlingshire, has been positive about the course. Miss Craig added: “The teachers there have said the pupils are becoming more resilient and are better at taking on responsibility and taking on problems.”[>
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Sandy MacLean, of the Scottish Further Education Unit, said that overcoming adversity can actually raise youngsters’ self-esteem. She said: “Young people are not fragile, they can be likened to springs or balls. People can bounce back psychologically after being knocked out of shape, just like in nature.[>
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“People are frightened of negative emotion. This encourages them to try and suppress their emotions.[>
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“Research shows this causes more of the negative sensations they didn’t want.”[>
