A Beacon of Hope Amidst the Chaos

A Q&A with Dr. Nefertiti Poyner about DCRC’s new self-paced course

By Rudee Abello

The Devereux Center for Resilient Children (DCRC) recently announced the launch of a brand-new professional development resource, the Building Your Bounce: Promoting Adult Resilience Self-Paced Online Course. This course is designed to help teachers and other child-serving professionals who educate, and care for, young children (birth through preschool) discover ways to nurture their resilience and manage stress more effectively. The course offers evidence-based strategies to strengthen relationships, promote healthy self-regulation, increase initiative, and teach participants how to be kinder to themselves.

Dr. Nefertiti Poyner, co-author of Building Your Bounce: Simple Strategies for a Resilient You and co-creator of the course, took some time with me to reflect on the creation and importance of this new resource.

For anyone who may not know you, can you share a little bit about yourself and what it is you do with DCRC?

Of course! Let me take you on a journey into my world! Picture a child, wide-eyed and full of wonder, surrounded by a classroom of stuffed animals, eagerly soaking in every word I say. That was me – the aspiring teacher in the making! Fueled by this passion, I delved into the realm of education, immersing myself in undergraduate and graduate studies, culminating in the completion of my Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in 2018.

Fast forward to today and I find myself immersed in what I can only describe as my “occ-YOU-passion” with DCRC. For over two decades, I’ve been part of an incredible team, championing the mental well-being of children and of those who nurture them. From delivering captivating in-person workshops to crafting engaging virtual trainings and resources, every day is a new opportunity to make a difference. Alongside my team, I have also co-authored two books – Building Your Bounce: Simple Strategies for a Resilient You and Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children. I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise healthy, thriving children, and I am humbled and honored to be a part of the team.

Where does your focus and passion come from, regarding the topic of adult resilience and well-being?

My passion pulses from a deep understanding that the very essence of a child’s well-being hinges not just on the physical presence of adults, but on their emotional and mental fortitude. Every day, I wake up thinking about what can happen when our villages are overflowing with strength and positivity, where children are nurtured not just by individuals, but by an entire community committed to their well-being. That’s the vision driving me forward!

And then there’s my faith. It’s not just a belief system; it’s my rock, my anchor in life’s stormy seas. Interestingly, as I delve into the realms of well-being research, I see resilience echoed in the findings. It’s like finding a treasure map that leads straight to my heart, igniting a fire within me to pour everything I have into this vital work. Each revelation fuels my passion, reminding me that there’s so much more we can do to create thriving communities for our children.

In your work, you talk a lot about protective factors. What are protective factors and why are they important?

Protective factors are the conditions or attributes in individuals, families, communities, or the wider society that mitigate risk. I often refer to protective factors as our umbrellas. When it’s raining, what do we do? We tend to grab something to protect us, like an umbrella. Our protective factors protect us when life feels as if it is “raining” on us. These factors are crucial because they build a foundation of strength and resilience that helps both children and adults navigate life’s challenges more effectively.

Imagine a child growing up in a nurturing environment, surrounded by caring adults, with access to resources and support systems. That’s the power of protective factors in action! They’re like the invisible armor that fortifies us against life’s ebbs and flows, helping both children and adults weather the storms with grace and resilience. What I really love about protective factors is that they are not only helpful when life is raining on us…identifying and building upon our protective factors helps us live life with greater joy and fortitude!

What impact does the resilience and well-being of adults have on young children?

The impact of adult resilience and well-being on young children cannot be overstated. Children are incredibly perceptive and often mirror the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional responses of the adults around them. Often, without us even recognizing it, children are not just observing; they are learning.

But here’s what I always like to stress: it’s not just about what adults say, it’s about what they do. When adults model resilience, whether it’s bouncing back from setbacks, managing stress with grace, or practicing self-care, they are providing a living, breathing example for children to emulate.

I work each day to help make sure adults are teaching resilience, and teaching it by modeling the thoughts, behaviors, and actions of a person who can bounce back. When adults prioritize their own wellness and resilience, they’re not just taking care of themselves! They are laying down the blueprint for a generation of future leaders, innovators, and compassionate human beings. It’s like planting seeds of strength and positivity in the fertile soil of a child’s mind.

And the impact? It’s monumental! By witnessing adults navigate life’s twists and turns with resilience, children learn invaluable life skills: resilience in the face of adversity, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and healthy coping mechanisms. It’s like giving them a superpower that equips them to thrive in a world full of challenges.

So, why prioritize adult wellness? Because it’s not just about us, it’s about shaping the future, one resilient child at a time.

We’re connecting right now primarily to discuss the Building Your Bounce: Promoting Adult Resilience Self-Paced Online Course. Can you describe this course in just a few sentences?

What I want to say is that it is a life-changing experience that everyone should take advantage of! While I do believe that statement, I will describe the course as a transformative journey, one that equips you with the skills to conquer life’s challenges with unwavering strength and grace. This course isn’t just another online program. It can be a life-changing experience waiting to unfold. It includes immersive multimedia content, interactive exercises, and challenges wrapped around my story as a classroom teacher.

Why self-paced, and how does this course support those working with and caring for young children?

Many of us face the eternal struggle of balancing life’s demands while nurturing our own well-being! We all know, deep down, the importance of putting ourselves first, yet in the whirlwind of everyday life, our wellness often takes a backseat.

I see this self-paced course as a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. Designed with the bustling schedules of those working with and caring for young children in mind, this course offers the flexibility and freedom to engage with the content on your own terms. Picture yourself, cozy on the couch after a long day, sipping your favorite beverage as you delve into the world of resilience and well-being. No deadlines, no pressure. Just you and the invaluable insights waiting to be discovered.

Our well-being deserves to be a priority, and this course is here to help make that a reality – one convenient, flexible lesson at a time.

While the course is designed to be completed however the participant chooses, how would you suggest they work through it?

I highly recommend crafting an action plan for optimal engagement. This plan empowers individuals to tailor their learning experience according to their unique needs and schedules. Personally, I find that spreading the content over a span of 4-6 weeks works well. This approach allows ample time for participants to absorb the interactive material and to delve into the challenges designed to deepen their resilience journey. Additionally, focusing on one module at a time (there are six modules), ensures a thorough exploration of each topic.

What will participants get out of participating in this course?

Much more than just knowledge! They will gain a passport to a world of resilience, where every challenge becomes an opportunity, every setback a stepping stone, and every heart a beacon of hope in a sea of uncertainty. As they travel through the course, participants will unravel the mysteries of resilience and discover a treasure trove of practical strategies to fortify their resilience.

By the end of the course, I hope participants will emerge as beacons of strength, armed with the knowledge and tools to navigate life’s stormy seas with grace and determination. But the true magic lies in what they will impart to the precious children and families in their care – a legacy of resilience, a testament to the power of the human spirit to rise above adversity.

What kind of impact do you hope this course will have on the world of early care and education?

As I respond to each of your questions, the field of education is suffering. I believe we can be better, and we can do better. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Every day, I picture a world where every educator and caregiver radiates with the inner strength of resilience; a world where the very essence of early care and education is infused with a spirit of unwavering determination and positivity.

This is the vision that fuels my hope for the impact of this course. By arming educators and caregivers with the transformative tools to build their resilience, we’re shaping individual lives and sculpting the very fabric of our communities.

As educators and caregivers blossom with newfound resilience, they become beacons of light for the children in their care. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to nurture not just minds, but spirits fortified with the armor of resilience.

And the beauty of it all? It doesn’t end there. This ripple of resilience extends beyond classroom walls, beyond playgrounds, beyond the confines of early care and education. It permeates through society, laying the groundwork for resilient, thriving communities where every individual is empowered to rise above adversity and embrace the boundless potential of the human spirit. This is the impact I hope this course will have.

Learn more about the Building Your Bounce Self-Paced Online Course here.