When children make up games, negotiate rules with friends, and climb a little higher than feels comfortable, they’re learning to manage fear, solve problems, and calm themselves down. These experiences strengthen the brain’s wiring for resilience. Without them, children can feel less confident and more anxious when they face challenges later on.
The Role of Risky Play
Researchers call this kind of stretching, just-on-the-edge experience risky play. It might look like climbing trees, exploring new places, or racing bikes downhill. To adults, it can seem scary. But studies show that children who have opportunities for risky play actually become less fearful and anxious, because they learn they can handle small risks and recover from setbacks.
What Parents Can Do
- Allow time each day for unstructured, child-led play.
- Create safe spaces where kids can play independently, without adults directing every move.
- Loosen the reins a bit on risk — let your child climb, balance, and explore within reason.
- Encourage outdoor play and peer play whenever possible.
Play is the natural way children learn to regulate their emotions and build confidence. Protecting that time is one of the best ways to help raise a child who feels secure and resilient.
