Create protective factors for your kids!

What are protective factors as it applies to kids? Protective factors are things that contribute to mental health and allow young people to be resilient in the face of challenges. To have strong protective factors will help your child to develop healthy coping skills.

Below, look at each section and determine your child’s level of protective factor. Determine whether its weak, moderate or strong!

Common Protective Factors

1. Social Support

   • Peers

   • Family members

   • Trusted adults

   • Mentors

2. Copings Skills

   • Awareness of emotions

   • Manage emotions.

3. Physical Health

   • Physical activity

   • Healthy diet

4. Sense of Purpose

   • Education/School

   • Personal Values

5. Self-Esteem

   • Self-Values

   • Acceptance

   • Overcome Challanges

6. Healthy Thinking

   • Consider weakness

   • Consider personal strengths.

Steps to Build protective factors.

1. Determine which protective factor that is most valuable to your child during difficult situations.

2. How have you used this protective in the past?

3. What are some protective factors that your child may improve on?

4. List any steps or actions that may help to build your child’s protective factors?

Key Tips:

• Remember to take your time when working with your child by meeting them where they are.

• Look at each section where your child has scored lower than moderate and determine why this may be the case.

• See what your role you played as the adult in your child’s level of protective factors.