By Stephanie Lord-Darby
At GymbaROO, we often talk about building confidence. We see it in the toddler who, after weeks of watching, finally takes a brave step onto the wobbly bridge. We see it in the preschooler who carefully plots their way across the climbing frame. This confidence doesn’t appear from nowhere. It is built, piece by piece, every time a child is given the freedom to navigate a small risk.
From a foundation of safety and belonging, the kind we actively build in our classes, a child’s brain is primed for its most important job: learning. And a key part of that learning is the “discovery brain.” This is the part of a child that is wired to explore, experiment, and test boundaries. It is the engine of development.
When we allow a child to take an age-appropriate risk, like balancing on a low beam or deciding when to jump off a platform, we are doing far more than supervising play. We are giving their brain a crucial workout in two key areas:
- Building Motor Planning
Before the body can move, the brain must plan. This is motor planning. When a child approaches a piece of equipment, their brain is busy calculating: How high is this? How far do I need to reach? Where do I put my foot next?By letting them figure this out—without immediately jumping in to lift them or guide their feet—we allow those neural pathways to strengthen. They learn to sequence their movements, solve physical problems, and understand their body’s capabilities. A child who is always carried over the tricky part never learns how to traverse it themselves. - Developing Judgement for building resilience
This is where resilience and decision-making are born. When a child navigates a risk, they are constantly testing and learning: If I step here, then the log wobbles. If I reach for that bar, I can make it to the other side.They learn to read their environment and, crucially, their own limits.
Sometimes, this means they might miscalculate. They might slip or reach for a bar and miss. And this is where the real magic happens. When a child experiences a small stumble in a safe, supportive environment, they learn a vital lesson: “I can try, and even if it doesn’t work out, I am still OK.” Their resilience is born. They learn to pick themselves up, dust off, and try a different approach next time.
What the Research Tells Us
This isn’t just our philosophy at GymbaROO – it’s grounded in decades of research.
Foundational studies in early childhood education have shown that when children lack opportunities to engage in challenging, risk-related experiences, they may later develop inappropriate risk-taking behaviours. Without the chance to practice sound judgment in safe environments, their decision-making skills remain underdeveloped.
More recent research confirms this. A 2020 study from Canada found that parents with positive attitudes toward risk-taking during play had children with significantly higher fundamental movement skills—including running, climbing, and jumping. These children were also more physically active overall.
And right here in Australia, a 2025 study explored the impact of facilitated risky play programs. Researchers found that children who are supported in navigating challenges develop what they call “risk intelligence“—the ability to make sound judgments about risk rather than simply avoiding it. Families in the study reported enhanced mental well-being, including better social, emotional and behavioural regulation. As one researcher beautifully put it, “They take the fear out of failing”.
Our Role in the Village
As the trusted adults in their village—the parents and GymbaROO-Trained Teachers in our GymbaROO triangle of trust—our role is not to eliminate all risk, but to be the secure base from which they explore. Our calm, steady presence is what makes a child feel safe enough to take that leap of faith. We are there to support, to encourage, and to be the safe harbour they can return to, not to remove every wave.
So, the next time you see your child eyeing up a new challenge, resist the urge to guide their feet. Instead, take a breath, offer a warm smile, and let their discovery brain go to work. The confidence they gain from navigating that small risk themselves is a gift that will last a lifetime.
References
- Little, H., & Wyver, S. (2008). Outdoor play – Does avoiding the risks reduce the benefits? Australian Journal of Early Childhood.
- Stone, M. R., Webber, N., Cawley, J., Houser, N. E., Kirk, S. F. L. (2020). Are parental perceptions of risk and attitudes toward risk-taking during play associated with preschoolers’ physical activity and physical literacy? Canadian Journal of Environmental Education.
- Bennetts, S. K., et al. (2025). ‘They Take the Fear out of Failing’: Children’s and Parents’ Experiences of the Risky Kids Program in Australia. Journal of Community Psychology.
Stephanie Lord-Darby
MEd(Res), B.Ed.) is an experienced researcher, teacher and GymbaROO Education Operations Co-Ordinator