Resilience is an attitude of calm
When the children returned to our Little Birdwings Bush Kindy program after Cyclone Alfred, some greeted us with “We have the power!”. They meant their homes had electricity again, but in that moment, I couldn’t help but think—yes, they DO have the power.
They have the power of resilience, the power of play, and the power of the people who held space for them during a challenging week.
Resilience is not about ‘bouncing back’ or surviving. On the contrary, at Birdwings Forest School, we find resilience is an attitude – one that shapes how we respond to challenges, adapts to change, and finds strength in uncertainty. And after Cyclone Alfred, we saw it in full force.
It’s natural to feel stress when routines are suddenly upended. When we can’t access our usual comforts, or when uncertainty looms, we can feel displaced. But our awareness of these feelings is key. We can acknowledge our feelings, and also approach the situation pragmatically. By focusing on what we can do rather than what we can’t, we provide children with a powerful model for navigating adversity.
The past week has tested us. Cyclone Alfred swept through, leaving many of us without power, internet, or even a clear sense of normality. How we respond to moments like this shapes not only our own experience but also that of our children, who are watching us for cues on how to make sense of it all. The way we handle change influences how they feel, respond, and develop their own approach to life’s uncertainties. They are learning that resilience is an attitude, so what is that attitude going to be?
Resilience is an attitude of adaptibility
Children who engage in regular immersive nature play will experience resilience in action. The outdoor environment constantly changes: rain transforms the landscape, fallen branches create new obstacles, and the terrain itself shifts with the seasons. These unpredictable elements are not barriers to play. Rather, they require children to adapt, make decisions, collaborate, and draw on past experiences to solve new challenges.
In doing so, children are practicing the very skills we hope to model in times of crisis: problem-solving, creative thinking, emotional regulation, and teamwork. Nature play fosters resilience not because it is easy, but because it presents challenges that children learn to navigate. This is why our Birdwings children were able to return with such wonderful adaptability, ready for adventure and fun.
Reframing challenges and staying connected
Resilience grows when we shift our perspective. A power outage is definitely an inconvenience, particularly when it lasts for days and affects access to essentials like water. But once we’ve ensured safety and set up temporary solutions, we can frame our resilience as an attitude of adventure. Candles at dinner, storytelling in the dark, family connections over board games and camping inside are fun! A screen-free week of family and community connection is definitely not a bad thing.
As the sun shines once again, let’s take a moment to reflect: How did we respond during the storm? What did our children see in us? How have we grown in this experience? What are the blessings that have appeared? And how can we continue to foster resilience—not just in emergencies, but in the everyday moments?
Doing so will help shape strong and adaptable spirits. In the end, resilience is an attutude not just about survival, but about mindset, connection, and the way we choose to meet the world – the stormy days and sunny ones alike.
Do you have the power?
We wrote a healing story to help children build an understanding of their experience of wild weather. It is still relevant to share after the event has passed, you can access it HERE, and if you’d like to know more about how to use storytelling for therapeutic purposes, take a look at our Ecological Storytelling webinar.
