by Claudia Trinklein-Engman

Within the academic environment, teachers are constantly asking children to "take risks" and try new things. Sounding out new words, predicting and estimating math answers, giving speeches in front of the class all take a degree of risk. We tell youngsters to ask for help and to have directions repeated if they do not know how to proceed. When children have difficulty giving themselves permission to self-advocate or to attempt new challenges, this cay be hugely problematic.

Socially and emotionally, children are also asked to "take chances." Introducing oneself to a new friend, asking to join a game, and even telling others how you feel are often seen as "risk-taking" behavior. Kids feel a certain amount of trepidation at doing all of the above and at times become immobilized because of their timidity.
As adults and parents, we need to foster in our children the concept of "mastering the unknown." It is extremely important for children to feel that they should and can embrace new challenges, both academically and socially. Preparing a child to take risks at home or under your supervision makes it easier to take appropriate risks within their academic and social environment.

Encourage your child to do new things. Sports, after-school classes, and meeting new people all help a child explore new frontiers. But having them retrieve the dry cleaning while you wait in the car, asking someone at the grocery store where the milk is and then getting it for you, returning videos, taking care of a neighbor's dog or cat, all demand that a child try things that aren't necessarily completely comfortable the first time around. Of paramount importance is helping a child master new tasks, try new things, survive the experience for better or worse, and hopefully feel proud of the results.

Even though these suggestions are not academic or peer-related social skills per se, if a child can take a chance in an unrelated sphere and feel successful, that pride and self-confidence can transfer into his or her school environment as well. Children need to practice not only mastering self-confidence, but also failing a bit along the way. None of us get it right the first time around all the time. If you help your child process their inevitable inability to always master a new challenge the first time they attempt it, and if it feel like it is okay for them to continue trying, our youngsters will do so much better both academically and socially. Risk-taking then becomes part of a positive, productive life.