Their schools are typically large and often serve poor and highly mobile families, making it difficult to reach out to families and communities. First, the educational practices shown to raise achievement can be employed to help students succeed not only in school, but also in learning the skills that make for success in life. Second, educators can work with others to enhance conditions in communities that foster psychological well-being. Only about one child in four born of alcoholic parents becomes an alcoholic. Researchers have identified several key competencies of resilient children.
Resilient children have mild temperaments and usually avoid flying off the handle.
They are malleable and can adapt readily to different situations. Such traits and skills enable them to attract attention, support, and affection from adults and peers. Resilient children score higher on intelligence tests, particularly verbal tests, and are able to think of novel solutions to problems. Such novel thinking is often manifested in humor, which can diffuse anger and anxiety from confrontations. Resilient children can think about their problems, set high but realistic goals for themselves, and monitor their own progress.