03 Jun Raising Resilient Kids: The Importance of Teaching Coping Skills

by Troya Carr, Program Specialist at ECHO
This blog is part of our ECHO: Keeping Kids Safe blog series.

Raising Resilient Kids: The Importance of Teaching Coping Skills

Now that our kids are spending more time at home for the summer, there’s no better time to reflect on how we can support the emotional well-being of children and youth. At ECHO, we work directly with students from kindergarten through 12th grade, helping them understand their emotions and build healthy coping skills that last a lifetime.

While helping kids recognize and name their feelings is an important first step, (as we explored in our Healthy Choices blog) it’s just as important to teach them what to do with those feelings. Helping children and youth develop healthy coping strategies doesn’t just get them through tough moments—it prepares them to handle life’s challenges with confidence and resilience for years to come.

A Quick Look at Brain Development

Children’s brains are still developing—especially the part responsible for managing emotions and making thoughtful decisions. Because of this, kids often react on impulse and may struggle to manage big emotions without support. By teaching them healthy coping skills, we help strengthen the areas of the brain responsible for handling stress and making positive choices.

What is Emotional Literacy and Why Does It Matter?

Emotional literacy is the ability to recognize, name, and express emotions in healthy ways. Developing it is the first step toward lifelong emotional wellness and plays a key role in building resilience—the ability to bounce back from challenges and recover after difficult situations.

When kids can say, “I feel frustrated” or “I’m feeling worried” instead of acting out or shutting down, they gain control over their experiences rather than being controlled by them. 

One of the best ways to support emotional literacy is to help children understand that all feelings are okay—but not all reactions are safe or healthy. It’s normal to feel angry, sad, or anxious sometimes, but we need healthy ways to cope when those feelings show up.

At ECHO, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. When we teach kids how to handle tough emotions and encourage them to speak up, we’re building safer, stronger communities.

Helping Kids Open Up: What Parents Should Know

As parents and caregivers, it’s important to recognize that children, tweens, and teens don’t always have the words—or the confidence—to express how they’re really feeling. Sometimes a simple “I’m fine” is a mask for much bigger emotions they aren’t sure how to share.

Stigma often keeps kids quiet about their struggles. They may worry about being judged or believe asking for help is a sign of weakness. That’s why it’s important to normalize conversations about mental health early and often. Offering patience, modeling healthy coping strategies, and providing gentle, consistent guidance can make all the difference.

Confidence also plays a key role in emotional well-being. Whether they’re in elementary school, navigating the tween years, or stepping into adolescence, kids build confidence through positive experiences and supportive feedback. Celebrate their efforts and encourage them to try new things without fear of failure.

Building Resilience Through Coping Skills

Coping skills are tools children can use when they’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or upset. By practicing these skills early, kids learn how to manage stress in healthy, productive ways. Small steps can help children, tweens, and teens build resilience, develop emotional literacy, and feel confident managing tough situations. Try these simple, effective strategies at home:

— Practice Active Listening: Set aside time each day for uninterrupted conversations with your child. Give them your full attention, validate their feelings, and avoid rushing to offer solutions.
— Create Calm-Down Spaces: Provide a dedicated space at home where kids can calm their emotions—this could be a cozy corner with comforting items like books, sensory objects, or calming music.
— Use a Feelings Wheel: Help kids name their emotions accurately. The Feelings Wheel visually breaks down broad emotions like “happy” or “angry” into more specific feelings such as “proud,” “frustrated,” or “embarrassed.” This builds their emotional vocabulary and helps them express feelings more clearly.
— Practice Deep Breathing: Simple breathing exercises can calm their minds and bodies. Try belly breathing—inhale slowly for four counts, feeling the belly rise, then exhale for four counts. Repeat as needed.
— Try Creative Outlets: Kids often process emotions best through creative activities. Encourage journaling, drawing, painting, or music to help them express their feelings safely.
— Encourage Your Child to Identify Safe Adults: Teach children how to recognize Safe Adults—people who can be counted on to listen, provide help, and keep them safe.

A Safe Adult is someone who:
— Is older and can get them help if they’re ever hurt or unsafe.
— Follows safety rules and never asks them to break rules or keep unsafe secrets.
— Is easy to talk to—even about difficult or uncomfortable topics.
— Can be counted on to keep them safe, no matter what.

Help your child think about who their Safe Adults are at home, at school, and in the community. Remind them that it’s always okay to ask for help.

Resources for Families

Explore these helpful tools and resources to continue building emotional literacy at home:
— Supporting Children to Develop Emotional Literacy (PDF)
— What Parents & Educators Need to Know About Worry and Anxiety (PDF)
— “I’m Fine” Video (created by Kobena and provided by the Monique Burr Foundation) explores how children may hide their true emotions behind simple phrases and teaches the importance of checking in beyond surface-level conversations.)

Photo courtesy of Yuri Arcurs  via Dreamstime