Health and safety seems to have gone mad recently, but is this the best for our children, should they be able to take risks?
My feelings are that yes, children should be able to take some risks.
Have you ever tried to cut anything with safe plastic scissors? It’s impossible, give children real child size scissors ( left handed ones, if needed) and show them how to use them correctly.
When I was working as a registered child minder I attended a workshop on forest schools here, where children are encouraged to use tools such as saws and axes and are even allowed to light a fire; this is all done under supervision
.
Children should be given direction not strict instructions.
I remember my youngest son wanting to chop vegetables with me, at first I gave him a blunt knife as I was concerned he would cut himself, but you can’t chop a carrot using a blunt instrument so I showed him how to safely use my vegetable knife keeping his right hand on the handle away from the blade and his left fingers firmly out of the way so he wouldn’t cut them.
Children should be able to climb trees and go high on the climbing frames and swings – that’s what children love to do!
I recall sitting in the park watching the children play while observing a parent who was standing holding onto his son’s leg as he climbed the steps to the slide, the child was scared of falling, I felt that the adult was sending his anxiety to the boy. Another mother was chatting as her daughter was swinging higher and higher on the swing without a care in the world almost looking as though she would go over the top.( she didn’t).
Children need to be able to have the freedom to go fast on their bikes and skateboards as long as they are wearing safety helmets
.
By letting children take risks they will get a sense of achievement and want to try other things, if they make the odd mistake they will hopefully learn from it.
I would be interested to hear what others think of children taking risks.
As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
Linked with
Yes! I completely agree that children should be free to take risks and negotiate danger at an early age, they are much less likely to injure themselves if they’ve been allowed to develop these skills. Risk also encourages problem solving and develops resilience long term.
There have been times when I’ve been at the park with children I am looking after and other parents have passed judgement and expressed concern for young children who are climbing…I always find this really frustrating as I would never knowingly put a child in danger, you know your children and what they are capable of and you are supervising so they absolutely should have these freedoms!
Absolutely, Helen, you have hit the nail on the head, thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and experiences
I have a three boys – my eldest just turned five and my twins just turned three. The twins are way more adventurous than their older brother, and they are massive climbers. I’m happy for them to take the risk as it’s good for their development. I wish my eldest would take more! #KCACOLS
I guess it all depends on the risk – riding fast on a bike on a path or hill isn’t such a risk – tearing around in traffic more so…but playground equipment and trees are fine, cliffs less so…tho even some of those are ok. I guess there’s no blanket rule, it depends what’s considered risky…#Globalblogging.
and #StayClassyMama
I completely agree – children should definitely be taught how to take risks in a sensible way. With you on the kids’ scissors – absolute waste of time haha! #KCACOLS
Thanks for confirming that, Hannah!
Popping over from #stayclassymama too 🙂 🙂 xx
I agree, children need to explore and risk taking is a lure. However, parents need to instill safeguards so that children know about dangerous situations.
I completely agree 100%! My kids have been taught to take calcuable risks, learning how to use tools at a rather young age. I know way to many “kids” who reach their teen years and have no idea how to do much of anything for themslves and I knew I didn’t want to raise my kids like that. Sure we’ve had some minor injuries here and there but I think that is also a part of living.
Glad you agree with me, Joanne and thanks for sharing your experiences
its not good to wrap a child in cotton wool,they need to have fun and in doing so will take risks at times,it’s part of growing up .
very true, Pearl
Well said – I think children need to be trusted to take some risks (within reasons). If we protect them from every possible danger, they will have no idea about life when they enter the real world. #AnythingGoes
Thanks, Shelley, it’s good to hear that you agree with my way of thinking
Sometimes it’s easier said than done but i completely agree, kids should definitely have the freedom to take a few risks. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time.
It’s good to know that you agree with my thinking, that’s for stopping by
Mine is a super daredevil and even though it drives me insane I try to let her go as much as possible. I’d rather her be bold than the alternative even if she’s giving me ulcers #KCACOLS
Thanks for sharing, Jeremy
Growing up in the 70s taught me that we have to take risks to learn lessons. I am a cautious parent though. #KCACOLS
We must be of a similar age, as I grew up in the 70’s too, thanks Jo
My kids still sometimes scare the life out of me, but they are strong, agile, and much better at coping than I am, and I am sure it’s because of the risks they were able to take as little people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Michelle
I’m all for kids taking risks, but when mine were young we had big slides, proper swings and let them build dens, climb trees etc, they also had climbing frames in school, it wasn’t called risk taking then, just play. Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you back later this week
That sounds like an almost perfect childhood, thanks for sharing and I will be back with a new post to link up next week
I think they need to learn to be brave! #kcacols
RI think you are right, Nancy
So difficult to balance and weigh up risks. I did lots of things when I was a kid that I would stress about if I knew my kids tried! Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
Absolutely, Laura I did things as a child that when I look back I wonder how I survived!
I definitely think they need to learn and take risks and face consequences. Adults not allowing them is not healthy. I think we have made helicopter parenting a thing and it’s not good. Thanks for sharing with #stayclassymama
Totally agree with you on the helicopter parenting, thanks for sharing, Karen
Calculated risks are fine and part of learning. #kcacols
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel
Another agree-er – learning is best done when there’s measured risks involved. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
Absolutely, Stephanie