While we may have the tendency to want to protect our children in metaphorical bubble wrap to prevent them from experiencing any hurts, disappointments or failures. For educators it can be about making sure standards / regulation are upheld and incident forms are not required… however it’s important that we recognise how many of the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with childhood can actually serve our kids’ best interests.
Remember your own childhood- climbing trees, testing your own limits, dirt play, trampoline tricks (there were springs back then!) and we all had that attitude of “I can do it”… but what is happening now? I hear more children saying “I can’t…” “you do it for me..” and this is concerning!
I wonder why? Is it because it’s easier and faster to do it for children? Do we have low expectations?
I am concerned that with the lack of risk taking and pushing your limits, reaching potential, feeling the adrenaline rush as well as experiencing the falls, that children’s resilience, confidence and motivation will be low.
So how can we promote risk taking?
Here are just a few ideas….
– Use resilient language with children such as “oh it’s OK”…
– Role model an “I can” attitude
– Let children explore nature and the garden such as rocks, sand, dirt and animals (great and small)
– Let children make choices
– Send the message that mistakes are OK (even our mistakes)
– allow children to become bored and create their own play scenarios, move and /or design props
– Respond rather than react… encourage children to self-regulate!
– Get out and play WITH children!
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