Building Resilience Through Play: Helping Children Manage Emotions at Childcare
How your child manages testing moments can surprise you. A toppled tower of blocks, a tricky puzzle piece that won’t fit, or a tumble on the playground might seem small to us, but to children they are powerful opportunities to learn. In those moments of frustration and determination, children are discovering their own strength, practising persistence, and building the foundations of resilience, all through play.
Resilience is the ability to cope with challenges, adapt to change and recover from setbacks. It is not something children are simply born with. Like any skill, resilience is learned and practised, and the early years are the best time to build this emotional strength. At Kids College, we see play as one of the most powerful tools to help children develop resilience in a safe and supportive environment.
Why Resilience Matters
Life is full of ups and downs. For young children, disappointments can be as small as not getting the colour crayon they wanted or as big as adjusting to new routines. Learning how to manage these challenges in early childhood gives children a strong foundation for later life.
Research highlights that resilience is a protective factor for children’s mental health, helping them to cope with stress and uncertainty as they grow . Children who develop resilience are more likely to adapt positively to change, recover quickly from setbacks, and maintain their wellbeing in the face of difficulties.
Play as a Pathway to Resilience
Play is more than entertainment. It is children’s natural way of exploring the world, experimenting with ideas, and testing their limits. Through play, children experience challenges that encourage them to problem-solve, negotiate and persist.
- Problem-solving in play: Puzzles, block towers and games often come with moments of frustration. When a puzzle piece does not fit, children practise persistence and creative thinking to find a new solution.
- Managing emotions: Play frequently involves setbacks, like losing a turn in a board game or watching a sandcastle collapse. These small disappointments provide safe opportunities for children to practise managing big feelings.
- Social play: Group play teaches resilience too. Children learn to navigate conflicts, compromise with peers, and try again after disagreements.
Early Childhood Australia notes that a rich mix of play activities helps children develop resilience and learn to regulate their emotions , while the Be You program confirms that play is one of the key ways children practise resilience in everyday life .
The Value of Safe Risks
Resilience also grows when children are encouraged to take safe, age-appropriate risks. This might mean climbing a play structure, trying out balancing beams, or experimenting with new activities. These experiences help children learn about courage, independence and the joy of achievement.
According to play experts, opportunities to test their abilities and manage small risks build children’s confidence and resilience, while also supporting their physical and social development . At Kids College, our educators carefully design environments where children can explore these challenges while staying safe, supported and encouraged.
Educators as Emotional Guides
Our educators play a crucial role in helping children turn play challenges into learning experiences. When a child feels frustrated, we validate their feelings and guide them towards solutions. For example, we might say, “I can see you’re upset the tower fell. Let’s try building it a different way together.”
By acknowledging emotions and modelling calm problem-solving, we help children understand that setbacks are a normal part of life and can be overcome. Over time, children internalise these lessons and develop their own strategies for coping with disappointment and trying again.
Building Resilience for Life
The resilience children practise in play has benefits that extend far beyond childhood. Studies show that early resilience contributes to stronger mental health, better learning outcomes, and more positive social relationships later in life .
At Kids College, we view every game, every block tower and every playground adventure as an opportunity to build not just skills, but strength of character. Through supportive play, we are helping Perth children grow into resilient, adaptable individuals ready to take on the world.
References
- Early Childhood Australia – The importance of play for social and emotional development
- Be You (KidsMatter) – Resilience in early childhood
- ACECQA – National Quality Standard, Relationships and wellbeing
- Australian Institute of Family Studies – Resilience in children and young people
