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Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community.
I recently bought a new laptop. My initial excitement to explore all its new features and finally have more storage space took a negative turn when I discovered that the trackpad worked differently than my previous one.
It sounds silly, but after twenty minutes of experimentation, such a small thing as not being able to click and drag the way I was used to made my heart start racing and my brain start buzzing. Why wouldn’t it just work?!
“I can’t do this right now!” I exclaimed, and slammed the laptop shut to take a break. Luckily, after a few minutes to shake off my frustration, I was able to try again. Eventually, of course, I got the hang of it.
Frustration is an emotion that can turn a tiny setback like the one I experienced into a big feeling - even for adults, but especially for kids. It's an inevitable human experience, yet it's also a crucial emotional catalyst that can lead to perseverance, problem-solving skills, and resilience when managed effectively. My ability to recognize the first signs of frustration (my heart racing and brain buzzing) helped me avoid flipping out over something minor, by taking a break before things escalated.
As parents and caregivers, we are instrumental in teaching our children to navigate the turbulent waters of frustration. The art of mastering frustration tolerance is more than a coping mechanism or way to address your child’s behavior problems; it's a crucial life skill that sets the foundation for a resilient, successful adulthood.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to build frustration tolerance at each stage of child development, and also address how common learning differences like ADHD and autism can impact your child’s struggle.
From an early age, we begin experiencing obstacles and challenges. How kids react and cope with these challenging situations can significantly shape their approach to difficulties throughout life. Frustration tolerance allows individuals to manage disappointments, maintain persistence in the face of adversity, and stay focused on long-term goals despite setbacks.
In essence, this crucial life skill is the cornerstone of resilience, a key component of emotional intelligence, and a predictor of future success. At Prisma, we focus on frustration tolerance through our coaching model (mentors work 1:1 with learners to help them set goals and develop their strengths), and our emphasis on project-based learning. We find that when kids need to persevere through a project & revise their work based on feedback (instead of just filling out worksheets or multiple-choice tests), they hone their ability to persevere even when a task gets hard.
During these formative years, young children often encounter frustration as they navigate a world filled with tasks that are new and sometimes overwhelming, and boundaries set by caregivers that they might not understand. Their expressions of frustration can take the form of tantrums and meltdowns, signaling their struggle to cope with these big feelings.
Here are some strategies you can introduce to help your frustrated child in the moment:
As children enter the broader social world of school or extracurricular activities, their frustration tolerance is increasingly put to the test. Building their social skills and providing coping strategies can help them manage this new level of complexity.
Adolescents grapple with increasingly complex challenges that test their frustration tolerance. It's a critical period to consolidate their coping skills and help them build resilience.
Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently encounter situations that can result in higher levels of frustration due to certain characteristics of their condition. Here are some factors that can contribute to frustration in children with ADHD:
Strategies for Managing Frustration in Children with ADHD
Helping a child with ADHD manage their frustration involves patience, understanding, and tailored strategies that address their unique needs:
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may experience heightened levels of frustration due to various factors:
Strategies for Managing Frustration in Children with ASD
Just as with any other child, building frustration tolerance in children with ASD involves patience, understanding, and personalized strategies that address their specific needs.
Regardless of your child's age, handling their frustration can be a challenge. Model calm behavior and manage your own emotions effectively. You are their role model, and your reactions can significantly influence their emotional development and resilience.
The ability to tolerate frustration is not merely about weathering the storm of the moment, but about instilling the persistence, adaptability, and resilience that set your child up for future success. Each tantrum, each "I can't" moment, each difficult transition is an opportunity to strengthen these crucial skills. As parents and caregivers, we are uniquely positioned to guide our children through these big emotions, equipping them with the tools they need for emotional well-being and success throughout life.
Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?
Talk with usTalk with usMiddle School Curriculum Designer Lizzie uses her diverse experiences: studying Literature at Harvard, leading outdoor adventure expeditions, and teaching high school English, to help Prisma learners find their voices.
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