Risk Taking Examples for Teens and Children

As a parent, it can be intimidating to think about your child taking risks, but it's a natural part of growing up. Risk taking is how kids learn to navigate the world, push boundaries, and develop important life skills like problem-solving and decision-making.

Some kids may take bigger risks than others, but every child needs to take some level of risk to develop their confidence and independence. This can be as simple as trying a new food or as complex as learning to ride a bike.

Risk taking can be scary, but it's also a crucial part of childhood development. By taking calculated risks, kids can build their self-esteem, develop resilience, and become more confident in their abilities.

As a parent, I've noticed how risk-taking activities can help children develop their problem-solving skills. Research suggests that risk-taking in childhood can have numerous benefits.

Engaging in risk-taking activities can help children develop resilience, which is essential for bouncing back from setbacks and failures.

Unstructured play, in particular, can provide children with opportunities to take risks and experiment with new things. A study found that unstructured play can have a positive impact on children's cognitive development.

Risk-taking can also help children develop their creativity and imagination. By allowing children to explore and experiment with different activities, parents can encourage their creative growth.

Here are 9 benefits of risk taking in childhood, as identified by experts:

Supporting your child to take positive risks can be a great way to encourage them to learn about themselves and their abilities in a safe and rewarding way.

Engaging in sports can be a great way to take positive risks, with activities like rock-climbing, mountain biking, and martial arts providing a thrilling experience.

Encouraging your child to join the school play or band is another way to support them in taking positive risks, allowing them to develop their artistic side.

Getting involved in a social or political cause through volunteering can also be a great way to take positive risks, teaching your child about the importance of giving back to their community.

Here are some specific examples of risk-taking activities that can be beneficial for children:

Outdoor learning offers a wealth of benefits that can't be replicated indoors. By taking learning outside, children can explore their surroundings and make unique discoveries.

The freedom to explore is a key advantage of outdoor learning. Children can discover new objects, bugs, and landscapes, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the world.

Outdoor play allows children to manipulate natural objects and turn them into play tools. This hands-on approach can enhance understanding and develop problem-solving skills.

Children can learn about weather, seasons, and the natural world through first-hand experiences. This can help them develop a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them.

Here are some specific benefits of outdoor learning:

Taking risks can be a thrilling experience, and there are many ways to do it. You can sing in public, like Arnie Kozak, Ph.D, suggests, and experience a powerful form of self-expression.

Singing in public can be a great way to build confidence and take a risk. Whether it's at a friend's wedding, a karaoke bar, or singing in the car with friends, choose a song and just go for it.

Skydiving is another example of taking a risk, and it can be a life-changing experience. You'll likely feel a rush of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment after facing your fears and jumping out of a plane.

To take a risk, you don't have to jump out of a plane, though. You can try something new, like volunteering or joining a club. This can help you develop new skills and meet new people.

Here are some examples of taking risks:

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are endless. Remember, taking risks is a great way to learn and grow, and it can lead to some amazing experiences and opportunities.

Peer pressure can lead your child to take negative risks, which can have harmful consequences on their health, safety, and wellbeing.

To figure out who your teenager's peers are, pay attention to who they socialise with and speak about. You can also support your child to recognise teen peer pressure and when it helps and hinders them.

Having a conversation with your child about risk-taking is essential, whether they're actively taking risks or you're worried about it happening.

You can help your child come up with creative ways to say no to peer pressure, and there are resources available to support you in this, such as videos with experts like Jay Lag’aia.

It's crucial to have a supportive role in your child's life, helping them navigate situations where peer pressure may be present.

Experimenting with alcohol and other drugs can have severe consequences, including addiction and long-term health problems.

Skipping school not only puts your education at risk, but it can also lead to a lack of social skills and missed opportunities.

Having unprotected sex can result in unintended pregnancies and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

Getting a lift with someone who has been drinking can put you in a vulnerable position, increasing the risk of accidents or harm.

Risk-taking to impress friends or peers, such as shoplifting or vandalism, can lead to legal consequences and damage to your reputation.

Some common examples of negative risks include:

Risk taking in childhood is essential for developing important skills and building confidence. Climbing trees, for example, allows children to gauge heights, develop grip strength, and understand spatial relationships.

Climbing trees, balancing on logs, and jumping from heights are all forms of risky play that help children assess distances and the capabilities of their bodies. This type of play builds confidence in their physical abilities and helps them develop a sense of independence.

Children who engage in risky play also develop important social skills, such as understanding physical boundaries, developing empathy by reading cues, and practicing self-regulation through play fighting.

Engaging in risky play also helps children develop important life skills, such as navigating uneven grounds, hills, or rocky areas, and understanding the dangers and joys of water through near water play.

Engaging in risky play is essential for children's development, and it's not just about having fun. Climbing trees enables children to gauge heights and develop grip strength, while balancing on logs helps them fine-tune their balance and coordination.

Rough terrain play, such as navigating uneven grounds or hills, helps hone balance, coordination, and risk-assessment capabilities. Near water play teaches children respect for natural elements and develops their skills in assessing the dangers and joys of water.

Playing with fire, under supervision, can instill a sense of responsibility and awareness of natural elements. Exploring alone allows children to cultivate a sense of independence and boosts their navigational skills.

Here are some examples of risky play and their benefits:

These activities may seem daunting, but they're essential for children's growth and development. By engaging in risky play, children can develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, self-regulation, and risk-assessment.

Teenagers are more likely to take risks because the areas of the brain that handle impulse control and planning don't completely mature until about age 25. This can lead to quick and risky decisions.

During adolescence, friends and peers become incredibly important, and teenagers feel real distress if they don't have friends or are socially rejected. This is why friends have a larger influence on their behaviour.

Teenagers are more focused on the reward they feel when they are admired by their friends, and the positive reinforcement they get by being included. This is why they may engage in risk-taking behaviours to fit in.

In a computerised driving test, researchers found that early adolescents were more likely to engage in risky driving when friends were present. Late adolescents were also somewhat more likely to showcase risky behaviour in their driving when they were with friends.

Not all risk-taking has negative consequences – encouraging your teenager to practice positive risk-taking can be a safe outlet to help them develop their decision making skills.

Helping your teen with peer issues can be a challenging task, but it's essential to support them in making positive choices.

You can start by helping them come up with creative ways to say no to peer pressure.

Having open conversations with your child about their risk-taking behavior is crucial, whether they're actively taking risks or you're worried about it happening.

For some more ways to help and support your child around risk-taking, you can check out the things to try to support positive risk-taking.

Taking action requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Saying to yourself, "today is the day", can be a powerful motivator.

To create change, you must take action and be willing to risk the consequences. This can lead to angst, but it's a necessary step towards achieving your goals.

Remember, there will never be a better time than right now to take the leap and pursue your aspirations.