One essential life skill that kids of all ages need to hone is assertiveness. When kids learn how to set healthy boundaries, hold their boundaries, and speak up for themselves and others, they build self-confidence and avoid falling into the trap of peer pressure. The trouble is, emotion regulation skills don't fully develop until late adolescence/early adulthood. In short, kids have a lot going on under the hood and they need more help than they generally seek. This presentation helps parents and educators understand how child and adolescent development affects soft skills like assertiveness and resilience, and what can be done by age and stage to help kids develop these important skills.
