The Courage to Climb – Why Risky Play Builds Confident Children – Le Marmouset

There’s a moment every educator and parent recognizes, when a child climbs a little higher than we’d like, balances on a log just a little longer, or insists, “I can do it myself.” Our instinct is to rush in and steady the branch, hold the hand, or say, “Be careful!”

But these moments are the heart of what researchers call risky play, the kind of play where children test their limits, evaluate their abilities, and discover that their bodies and minds are capable of so much more than they imagined.

In early childhood, this is how children learn courage. By facing manageable risks, they build trust in themselves. Risky play isn’t about danger, it’s about practice: practicing decision-making, balance, patience, and resilience.

Judy Klein, in her TEDx Talk “The Importance of Risky Play,” reminds us that play is children’s natural laboratory for life. When they climb, jump, or explore, they are quietly developing judgment, the kind that will one day help them cross a busy street, handle peer pressure, or navigate emotional challenges.

Outdoor environments especially support this process. Fresh air, uneven ground, and natural materials encourage children to move their bodies freely and think critically. In a world increasingly shaped by screens and safety warnings, giving children opportunities to explore real textures, distances, and heights is a gift, one that nurtures both confidence and physical health.

So next time a child climbs, pauses, and looks back for reassurance, take a deep breath. Offer your steady presence, not your control. They are learning to trust themselves, and that is the foundation of lifelong confidence.

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