Teach your babes to be BRAVE!

I love watching my babes climb and explore their environment, and this usually involves some pretty intense heights, edges and speed. My personal favourite line that I use with my kids is, "do you feel safe?". I have also worked hard to scaffold their adventuring by teaching them these 5 "rules" for climbing. To date, these little rules have made being in parks, around trees and in the forest so much more fun! 

1. Is the branch thicker than your thigh?
2. Belly to the bark.
3. 3 points of contact: 2 feet, one hand or two hands, one foot.
4 don't climb higher than what you can climb down - mama won't "help" (I will coach). 
5. Mama doesn't help little people climb something above their pay grade. 

My kids recite the first 4 rules to me regularly and I can truly say, they are spectacular climbers of all things high. The last rule, while perhaps a little hard, is firm! 

I want my kids to push their boundaries and find their edges, but to do this, I need to step back. I also want them to trust and develop their skills. This can't happen if I help them to move beyond their capabilities too early! 

All this to say, I really love these phrases offered up on this post and I intend to add many of these gems to my repertoire! What tricks do you have to help your little people feel brave?

From the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada http://childnature.ca/when-you-want-to-say-be-careful/