Pushing your kids out of their comfort zones might help them combat anxiety.
Have you ever watched your young child energetically navigate a playground, nearly tumbling over ledges or heading toward a potential collision with another kid, and thought, “Please, no emergency room visits today?” A recent study indicates that encouraging your children to embrace challenges could lower their chances of developing anxiety disorders.
Researchers from Australia, the Netherlands, and England conducted a study with 312 preschool-aged children from Amsterdam and Australia to analyze how challenging parental behavior (referred to as CPB) impacted anxiety levels in children. They discovered that parents who supported “safe risk-taking” witnessed fewer signs of anxiety in their kids.
Many parents may feel that their little ones naturally seek out challenges, and worry that if they were to reinforce this behavior, it might lead to frequent trips to the ER. However, the study defines “safe risk-taking” not as life-threatening activities but rather as experiences like engaging in rough-and-tumble play, allowing them to face minor fears, or encouraging them to navigate social situations confidently.
While I have my reservations about some of these suggestions—like the notion of “giving them a fright” as a parenting tactic—I do see the value in exposing children to manageable challenges. For instance, I once had to leave a movie theater because my kids couldn’t handle the emotional scenes between animated characters. And as for letting kids lose a game—seriously, is that a risk? Unless you’re playing with a child possessed by a mischievous spirit, it hardly qualifies as risky behavior.
Nonetheless, the core message of this research is important: by promoting safe risks, we teach our children that they can handle challenges and emerge unscathed, often even stronger. When we encourage them to climb to the top of a jungle gym, they experience the thrill of accomplishment and learn that they are capable of more than they realize. Roughhousing with siblings teaches them that life can be unpredictable, but it’s not catastrophic.
Watching our preschoolers take risks can be daunting, especially if it leads to disappointment or tears. However, these experiences are more than just lessons about the world; they can instill a sense of confidence and self-reliance. Children benefit immensely from both success and failure, and learning to navigate these experiences is crucial.
So, parents, it’s time to step back and allow your children the freedom to explore and take risks (but maybe draw the line at licking that lollipop—that’s just unsanitary).
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Summary: Encouraging children to take safe risks can significantly lower their chances of developing anxiety. By allowing them to engage in manageable challenges, parents can help foster resilience and self-confidence in their kids. While it may be difficult to watch them take risks, these experiences are vital for their growth.