*Strolling to dinner in Cancale via the GR 34 that goes all around the Brittany coastline.*

My husband Bruce and I were in Brittany this summer for two weeks celebrating our 30th anniversary. The GR 34 is a 1700 km path in Brittany, created in 1791 to allow customs officers to watch for smugglers and shipwreck pillagers! It was revitalized in 1968, and makes an amazing hiking path. Marked by red and white stripe signposts, it anchored our trip. We would invariably be in a small town on the coast and, pop – there would be the familiar colors telling us that, yes, we were on the right trail.

We all have our own path – our own journey, and so do the students and families with whom we work. In all of our communities, we support each other, especially those who are struggling along their own paths. Along the GR34, sometimes the path was clear and easy. And other times it was brambly, narrow, and rocky – we were unsure we were going the right way. Just like in life.

When we hit the brambles along our path – whether they are relatively small and short-term, or more complex and longer lasting, our resilience helps carry us through. We know that resilience can be grown. The better we understand our emotions, can flexibly problem solve, know how to self-regulate, and have fulfilling interpersonal relationships, the more resilient we are. So how can we support our students in building their resilience?

Let’s start with….character discussion. As always, for me, a terrific animation is a great place to begin! Here are my top 3 animations for jumpstarting conversations about resilience. Watch them with your students, and pose questions like: “What do you think helped the character persevere/keep going?” “How did the character(s) feel over the course of the story?” “Have you ever felt the same way?”

Game Changer by Aviv Mano