At Folkestone Street Infant & Child Care, we appreciate that the idea of young tamariki taking risks can sometimes feel uncomfortable for parents. Yet, when thoughtfully supported, risk-taking is crucial in helping children build resilience, confidence, and essential problem-solving skills. Understanding what healthy risk-taking looks like—and why it matters—can transform the way we guide our children through their early years.
Why Risk-Taking is Important in Early Childhood
Healthy risk-taking doesn’t mean placing tamariki in danger; instead, it’s about offering supervised opportunities for them to step slightly outside their comfort zones. Through carefully managed risks, children learn critical life skills: problem-solving, decision-making, physical coordination, emotional resilience, and self-confidence.
Child development experts agree—when children successfully navigate age-appropriate risks, they become more adaptable, resourceful, and better able to cope with challenges throughout life. According to early childhood researcher Ellen Sandseter (2010), risk-taking opportunities are essential in developing a child’s ability to assess situations and make informed decisions independently.
How Folkestone Street Supports Safe Risk-Taking
At Folkestone Street, we believe in creating an environment where tamariki can safely explore their physical and emotional boundaries. Our natural outdoor setting provides numerous opportunities for controlled risk-taking within clear safety guidelines.
Examples from our outdoor environment include:
Nature Walks: Children safely navigate uneven paths, logs, and gentle slopes, helping develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.
Climbing and Balancing: Supervised climbing activities, such as using low structures and climbing frames, help tamariki build strength, confidence, and judgement skills.
Gardening and Exploring: Interacting with plants, insects, and natural elements encourages curiosity and teaches children respect for living things, even while exploring unfamiliar situations.
Our skilled kaiako closely supervise, observing carefully while allowing space for tamariki to test their own abilities. Gentle encouragement and guidance are provided without removing the valuable learning that comes from personal experience.
The Benefits of Supported Risk-Taking
Research shows clearly that children who engage in carefully supported risk-taking demonstrate:
Increased self-confidence and independence, knowing they can overcome small challenges independently.
Stronger decision-making skills, through regular practice assessing and responding to new situations.
Improved resilience and emotional regulation, learning to manage small setbacks and persist through challenges.
According to Sandseter’s influential study (2010), avoiding risk altogether can deprive children of vital developmental opportunities, potentially impacting their future emotional strength and decision-making capabilities.
Encouraging Positive Risk-Taking at Home
We believe that partnership with whānau is essential. Here are simple ways to encourage healthy risk-taking at home:
Allow Exploration: Supervise closely, but allow your child freedom to climb, run, or explore safely.
Offer Encouragement: Support your child’s attempts at new activities, providing encouragement without immediately intervening.
Discuss Risks Openly: Help your child think through potential outcomes and solutions, guiding them to make informed decisions.
The Folkestone Street Promise
At Folkestone Street Infant & Child Care, our commitment is clear: we provide a safe, nurturing environment that encourages your child to grow confidently through thoughtfully supported risks. Together, we’re fostering capable, resilient young learners who are prepared to embrace life’s adventures with confidence and curiosity.
