How CBT in the Get GRIT Program Helps Children Build Resilience

Children today face many challenges. Between schoolwork, friendships, extracurricular activities, and the everyday ups and downs of growing up, it’s normal for kids to feel stressed, frustrated, or anxious at times. Helping children manage their thoughts, regulate their emotions, and respond positively to challenges is essential for their wellbeing and long-term success.

The Get GRIT Program supports children in developing these skills through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a research-backed and widely used approach in school counselling. CBT gives children practical tools to understand how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected, and how changing their thoughts can change the way they feel and behave.

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is a well-researched form of talk therapy or psychotherapy. It is considered one of the most effective approaches for helping children and adults manage emotions, solve problems, and cope with challenges. The main idea behind CBT is simple:

Our thoughts influence how we feel and act. By noticing and changing unhelpful thoughts, we can feel better and make smarter choices.

Teaching these skills early is a powerful way to give children confidence, control, and resilience.

CBT in the Get GRIT Program

In the Resilient Thinking unit (the R in GRIT), CBT is taught in a way that is engaging and easy for children to understand. The focus is on three key areas:

1. Self-Awareness
   • Children learn to recognise their own thoughts and emotions.
   • They become aware of how their thoughts influence how they feel and behave.
2. Positive Thinking
   • Children practise identifying “Stop” thoughts—unhelpful or negative thoughts that hold them back.
   • They then learn to replace these with “Go” thoughts—positive, empowering thoughts that help them take action.
   • For example, changing “I can’t do this” to “I can try my best and learn from mistakes” teaches children a growth mindset and builds confidence.
3. Emotional Resilience
   • By practising CBT strategies regularly, children learn to cope with setbacks, handle frustration, and recover from challenges.
   • Emotional resilience gives children a sense of control and self-efficacy, so they feel confident facing difficult situations at school, at home, and in life.

Why CBT Skills Matter for Children

Teaching CBT skills in a structured program like Get GRIT provides children with a toolkit for life. They learn how to:

• Recognise and manage their emotions.
• Respond to challenges calmly and thoughtfully.
• Solve problems and make positive choices.
• Develop confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of agency.

These skills don’t just help children in the moment—they support long-term mental health and wellbeing, giving them the resilience to navigate the ups and downs of growing up and the skills to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

The Benefits of Early Intervention

Research shows that children who learn CBT skills early are less likely to experience chronic stress, anxiety, or behavioural challenges later in life. Programs like Get GRIT offer proactive, preventative support, helping children develop strong coping strategies before problems arise. By embedding these skills into everyday learning, schools empower students to take charge of their wellbeing and build habits that last a lifetime.

Conclusion

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is more than a therapy tool—it is a practical life skill. Through the Resilient Thinking unit in the Get GRIT Program, children learn to become aware of their thoughts, replace unhelpful thinking with positive strategies, and develop emotional resilience.

These skills help children manage stress, solve problems, build confidence, and thrive—both at school and beyond. By teaching CBT in a structured, supportive way, Get GRIT gives children the tools they need to face challenges with resilience, optimism, and confidence, setting the foundation for lifelong mental health and wellbeing.