Making and keeping friends
University of Illinois Extension
GALESBURG Do you remember your first childhood friend? Do you still have friends that you keep in touch with from school or work? Humans are social creatures and we enjoy and do better being around others. So, knowing how to make and keep friends is an important skill for young children to learn. For preschool and school-age children, friends are fun to have around. They can also be important to being successful in school! The Illinois Early Learning Project shares some facts about friendships, the benefits of having friends and how parents can help their child learn to be a good friend.
Resiliency as we age
University of Illinois Extension
GALESBURG Resilience: the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. As much as resilience involves “bouncing back” from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth. The good news is that resilience is not a trait that people either have or do not have. It involves behaviors, thoughts and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone.
In past blog posts, I have mentioned many of the characteristics or traits that research has identified as most commonly found in resilient people, families and organizations. Self-confidence, humor, optimism, gratitude, purpose, and social connectedness are just a few attributes that are more commonly found in those who are considered resilient – but can also be nurtured and develope