Building Resilience
Dear Center School Community,
As I sat down to write this, I found myself reflecting on the many conversations and ideas that have come up lately in my roles as both an educator and a parent. From casual talks with colleagues and friends to articles in Independent School magazine, a recurring theme keeps surfacing: How do we find that balance between protecting children from distress/discomfort and helping them build resilience? It’s a question that feels especially pressing in our modern world, where challenges seem to appear from all directions. We want to be there to support our children, yet we also know that one of the greatest gifts we can give them is the strength to face life’s bumps and setbacks with courage.
Resilience—our ability to bounce back from challenges and learn through the process—is a skill we actively foster at the Center School. We believe resilience is like a muscle, something that grows stronger with use and gentle guidance. Our classrooms are places where trying, failing, and trying again are part of the journey, not something to shy away from.
Research shows that resilience plays a foundational role in children’s development, empowering them to face and adapt to challenges with confidence. According to the New York Times, resilient kids not only tend to feel more capable but are also better equipped to manage stress, form strong relationships, and stay engaged in learning as they grow older. Furthermore, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) highlights that resilience isn’t a fixed trait but rather a set of behaviors and attitudes that can be nurtured, especially when children feel safe and supported. By teaching kids to adapt, self-regulate, and lean on their community, we’re helping them build the skills they need to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world
I get to see examples of this "muscle building" every day, whether it's through a group of young children building a structure in the woods, or a duo of Uppers working on creating their first-ever animated short. When things don’t go as planned, our teachers encourage students to regroup, reflect on what happened, and then dive back in with a fresh approach. It’s powerful to see kids realize that mistakes don’t mean it’s over—they mean they’re learning.
We also focus on the emotional side of resilience. Our teachers help students develop “toolkits” to manage stress and big emotions. In the classroom, that might look like a sensory area to which kids can go to use a variety of fidgets, taking a lap outside around the building, or using a classroom Zones of Regulation chart to find a suggestion for how to feel more centered. These tools don’t just help students feel calm; they empower them to face difficulties head-on and be mindful of how their body and brain are reacting. This is not to say that children are expected to solely push through these challenging moments alone -- we prioritize a community approach, where students feel comfortable turning to their peers and teachers for support.
In a school like ours, resilience is woven into everyday learning. From big projects to little moments, we make sure our students know that every setback is a chance to grow—and that’s a lesson that stays with them long after they leave the Center School.
Be well,
Lauren Obregón, Interim Co-Head of School