WILD CHILD: Instead of Saying "Be Careful"
Children need to engage in risky and challenging play for healthy growth and development.
All to often you’ll hear the words “Be Careful” during risky play and it doesn’t get the response you were hoping for. It isn’t specific enough to be helpful in the moment, can cause confusion, reduce self-confidence and can even instil fear in a child to avoid taking risks, trying new things and making mistakes.
To set your little one up for success instead of saying “Be Careful” use a different approach to develop awareness and encourage problem solving. Try saying these instead! See our helpful list of examples below and practice them during your next outdoor play adventure.
Develop Awareness
Every time you want to say “Be Careful!” see it as an opportunity to help your child develop greater awareness of their environment and their bodies.
Try saying:
Notice how… these rocks are slippery, the log is rotten, that branch is strong.
Do you see… the poison ivy, your friends nearby?
Try moving… your feet slowly, carefully, quickly, strongly.
Try using your… hands, feet, arms, legs.
Can you hear… the rushing water, the singing birds, the wind?
Do you feel… stable on that rock, the heat from the fire?
Are you feeling… scared, excited, tired, safe?
Encourage Problem Solving
It’s important that we let our kids engage in risky or challenging play because it’s a great way for them to practice problem solving skills.
Help them out by asking:
What’s your plan… if you climb that boulder, cross that log?
What can you use… to get across, for your adventure?
Where will you… put that rock, climb that tree, dig that hole?
How will you…. get down, go up, get across?
Who will… be with you, go with you, help you if?
Written by Katie Jeresky Van Den Berg, Wild Child Outdoor Playgroup Facilitator
Resource from Backwoods Mama.