How Taking Risks Can Help Kids Grow

You’ve probably seen parkour devotees in action, even if you didn’t realize what it was. Over the past few years, several television commercials showcasing athletic footwear or sports drinks have featured young adults running through urban environments, leaping from one structure to another, sliding down stair rails and climbing walls. This is parkour. It looks both fun and risky.

Children love doing these types of activities. They need to stretch their muscles and practice their coordination. Parents are often not so keen about the risks of leaping and climbing, fearing a broken bone or concussion. But what if the kids can do these activities in a safe and supervised environment?

Benefits of Risk

In today’s environment, many children seldom encounter any kind of risk. We’re all naturally concerned about our children’s safety, but it is possible to take these concerns to a point where the child is actually deprived developmentally. According to recent studies, kids need to learn to take appropriate risks in order to be able to recognize a true risk in the course of their day. Taking, and successfully managing, risks also increases a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Even those occasions where it doesn’t turn out quite right can help a child develop resilience as they get back up and try again. There’s even evidence that teens who develop risk-taking skills as children are more likely to avoid risks as adolescents, especially in regard to sex and drugs.

Parkour Classes

One way to give your child the opportunity to meet these types of challenges is through a parkour class. Also called freestyle gymnastics, parkour classes allow a child to learn about risk-taking in a safe environment. He will have the chance to test his strength and coordination on obstacles designed for his size, while you can rest easy knowing that a protective mat will cushion his falls. Once again, critical thinking skills come into play as he evaluates the best way to tackle an obstacle. When he is successful, watch his confidence soar!

If you learned to ride a bike, skate or ski as a child, you’ll remember the thrill of accomplishment when you first succeeded. Parkour classes can give your child the same sense of achievement.