Competence

Children who feel competent are resilient. Feelings of competence arise from success in school work or other activities.

Academic success. When children achieve academic success , they face all types of adversity more effectively. A lifetime commitment to education and learning results from success in school, which in turn results from an academic program that is at a level at which each child can succeed. Every child's school and after-school academic program should be designed based on a realistic assessment of the child's abilities. In schools, academic success is increased by the use of different types of teaching strategies that meet varied learning styles. It is also fostered by recognizing and understanding cultural and other differences among the students.

Regular school attendance and homework completion. School attendance and completing homework are essential for academic success. Children and adolescents need a quiet time and place to do homework for six or more hours per week. They also need parents and other adults to help them when they encounter difficulties with homework. This support can be at home, at school, or in another location such as an after-school care center. All children should be helped to develop a menu of good study strategies and the ability to deliberately choose appropriate study strategies.

Developing talents. Every child should increase feelings of competence by developing talents. The specific talent-playing a team sport, hiking, playing a musical instrument, dancing, drawing, art, creative writing, bike riding, computer programming-is less important than the feelings of joy and competence that result. Sometimes a talent leads to a career. More often it results in an improved ability to deal with stress, a source of friendships, a positive method of self-expression, and the constructive use of time. Parents and significant adults play an important role in talent development by mentoring; that is, by providing encouragement, helping children set realistic and manageable goals, problem solving together, and finding ways to obtain necessary resources.

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