Empowering Kids to Take Healthy Risks
By: Aaron Locks, NAofA Founder and CEO
Watching my kids learn to walk was an unforgettable lesson in resilience. No one had to tell them to try; when learning to walk, they instinctively kept getting up, falling, and trying again until they succeeded. This natural process of trial, failure, and persistence is essential for growth—something we, as parents, must embrace. By empowering kids to take on new challenges and embrace manageable risks, we give them the opportunity to strengthen their physical, mental, and emotional resilience, setting them up for lifelong success.
Reflecting on my own childhood, my mom’s approach made a big difference. She supported me unconditionally, allowing me to try, succeed, or fail without judgment. Though there were consequences when necessary, there was no shame attached. This freedom helped me build confidence and develop a growth mindset. I learned that failure wasn’t the end but a stepping stone—one of the most valuable lessons I’ve had.
Yet, as parents, we often want kids to learn through experience but feel driven to protect them. Playing youth sports is one of the best places for a child to safely learn these lessons. Many of us hesitate to let children take risks, especially if it could lead to failure or harm. This leads to the question: How much trust can we place in our children’s ability to make responsible choices? In my experience, preparation is the answer. Equipping kids with tools for decision-making through modeling and encouragement makes it easier to grant them autonomy. Encouraging healthy risk-taking doesn’t mean exposing them to danger; it’s about providing a safe environment that fosters independence. For parents unsure where to start, a few methods can help children approach risk constructively while supporting their growth.
Risk-taking is essential for a child’s development, as it helps them hone decision-making skills, build resilience, and develop a realistic understanding of their abilities. We can foster this by helping kids understand what they can do safely, which builds self-confidence and self-awareness that benefits them throughout life. Children naturally want to stay safe—they don’t want to get hurt—so allowing them to push their limits teaches them to balance ambition with caution. Giving them trust and space reinforces their confidence in making thoughtful decisions.
While younger children may struggle to process complex situations, we can guide them in managing risk through mindfulness. Asking questions like “Did you see…?” helps cultivate awareness of their surroundings, fostering situational awareness they can carry into more challenging situations. A helpful strategy for parents is to pause before intervening when kids face manageable risks. Counting to ten before acting gives children a chance to handle situations independently. If your child falls down during a game, I feel we must trust the process & allow the coaches & themselves to get back up without our help. Often, they surprise us with their ability to respond effectively when given the opportunity. This pause not only helps us manage our instinct to intervene but also lets kids explore their abilities. Nine times out of ten, they handle things well, showing resourcefulness and determination.
Confidence & independence are key to development. I believe emphasizing effort over success is the best way to foster this. Coach John Wooden taught me to focus on trying rather than just winning. When children realize that effort matters, they gain confidence and resilience, knowing their value isn’t tied only to outcomes. Ultimately, fostering independence means stepping back and trusting kids to navigate challenges on their own. Allowing them to try, fail, and succeed independently benefits both them and us. This process reinforces their resilience, judgment, and confidence and reminds us of their potential. Moments of autonomy help children approach new situations with curiosity and confidence instead of fear. When kids are allowed to take healthy risks, they learn what they can handle. Failure becomes an opportunity to learn and grow. Over time, they become more equipped to face challenges, and we gain trust in their judgment. Just as my mom’s support allowed me to explore my limits, we can offer our kids the same chance. This fosters a lifelong belief in their abilities—that they can try, fail, and ultimately succeed.
In the end, empowering kids to take healthy risks prepares them for life. They become more resilient, adaptable, & self-reliant, & we, as parents, learn to trust their capacity to make thoughtful decisions. Through these experiences, we help our children grow & set them up for a future where they feel confident facing the unknown. This is one of the greatest gifts we can give them: the freedom to explore their potential & discover their strengths.
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Related reading: Helping Your Child Thrive When They Don’t Make the Top Team · Should My Child Play Up? Considerations for the Parents of the Best Player
