Can Adventurous Play Prevent Childhood Anxiety?
New data suggests there's been a dramatic rise in the number of primary school children aged 12 and under experiencing anxiety, with as many as one in five kids suffering from high levels of anxiety (ABC News 2023).
As parents, we all want the best for our children.
We strive to create an environment that fosters their growth, happiness, and emotional well-being.
Often, we go to great lengths to make sure they have the very best start in life, but what if doing less could actually do them a whole lot of good?
Kids are spending more time indoors than ever before, and the statistics show that it’s not necessarily keeping them safe. Their mental health is struggling, anxiety is on the rise, and physical movement is at an all-time low.
Could more play be the answer?
What is adventurous play?
Adventurous play encompasses a range of dynamic activities that encourage children to embrace novelty and exploration. It involves venturing beyond familiar settings, engaging in challenges, and trying new experiences that foster personal growth and confidence. Through adventurous play, children develop vital life skills while cultivating a sense of wonder and resilience in the face of the unknown.
Engaging in adventurous play has many benefits for children’s growth and development, but it’s less about creating adventure for them and more about giving children permission to explore their environment in a way that feels intuitive for them.
Children are innately motivated to seek out adventure and risk, they simply need our permission and reassurance that their instincts are natural and reliable, and that we’ll be there for them along the journey if they need us.
Increasingly, research into the benefits of adventurous play is revealing how it can decrease children’s risk of experiencing problematic anxiety (Dodd & Lester 2021). By allowing children to be exposed to fear-provoking situations during play, children can learn about coping, uncertainty and physiological arousal. When children learn to successfully handle these emotions, they build up an adaptive coping ability, which means they’re able to manage uncertainty better and understand what’s going on for them when they’re in a state of arousal.
These benefits are unlocked when children are able to confront fear-provoking situations through playful exposure, helping them to overcome avoidance and build self-belief, resilience and adaptability.
Adventurous play allows children to build the skills necessary to cope with feelings of anxiety in a self-directed environment where the child is able to interact with risk and uncertainty at their own pace.
Let’s dive deeper into the many ways adventurous play can help prevent childhood anxiety:
Unleashing the Joy of Exploration
Adventurous play involves a variety of activities that encourage kids to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the unknown. Whether it's climbing a tree, building a fort, or embarking on a nature hike, these experiences are rich in both excitement and learning opportunities. By engaging in such activities, children develop a sense of confidence, resourcefulness, and adaptability – all of which are essential in managing anxiety.
Fostering Resilience through Challenges
Anxiety often stems from a fear of the unfamiliar or the inability to cope with change. Adventurous play serves as a natural antidote to these fears. When children tackle new challenges, such as conquering a rope course or trying out a new sport, they learn to approach the unknown with curiosity rather than trepidation. This fosters resilience, enabling them to bounce back from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth.
Building Confidence and Self-Efficacy
Every successful adventure, no matter how small, contributes to a child's growing sense of confidence and self-efficacy. As they master new skills and conquer fears, they realise their own capabilities. This newfound confidence acts as a protective shield against anxiety, empowering them to face life's uncertainties head-on.
Connecting with Nature for Emotional Well-being
Adventurous play often takes place in natural settings – forests, parks, beaches, and mountains. This connection with nature has a profound impact on a child's emotional well-being. Research shows that spending time in nature reduces stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of attention-deficit disorders. It provides a serene backdrop for exploration, allowing kids to focus on the present moment and cultivate a sense of calm.
Promoting Social Interaction and Teamwork
Many adventurous play activities are best enjoyed with friends or family. Collaborative activities like building a treehouse or navigating a scavenger hunt encourage children to work together, communicate, and support one another. These social interactions are vital in developing strong interpersonal skills and a sense of belonging – both of which are crucial in combatting feelings of isolation and anxiety.
The Role of Play in Emotional Regulation
Adventurous play is not just about physical activity; it's also about emotional growth.
Engaging in exciting and challenging activities triggers the brain's release of endorphins – natural mood enhancers. These endorphins aid in emotional regulation, helping children manage stress and anxiety more effectively.
Tips for Encouraging Adventurous Play
Lead by Example: Show your enthusiasm for trying new things and taking on challenges. Children often mimic their parents' behaviours and attitudes.
Risk-Assess Together: Ensure that the activities are age-appropriate and engage in open conversations with children about risks and how to manage them.
Balance Structure and Freedom: While structured activities can provide a foundation, also allow space for unstructured play where children can use their imagination freely.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Emphasise the importance of effort and perseverance rather than focusing solely on the outcome.
Create Adventure Opportunities: Plan family outings, camping trips, or even simple backyard adventures that encourage exploration.
Adventurous play isn't just about having fun, it's a potent tool for preventing childhood anxiety.
Through exploration, challenges, and connecting with nature, children build resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being.
By nurturing this sense of adventure, parents can equip their children with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an uncertain world. So, let's embrace the power of play and watch our children flourish into confident, resilient, and anxiety-resistant individuals.
If you’re curious about reaping the benefits of adventurous play for your children, come and join us at Wildlings Forest School these school holidays. For more information, check out our range of programs on our bookings page and connect with us on our socials @wildlings_forestschool.
We hope to see you in the forest soon! Stay Wild x
Written by Ellen Nesbitt. Ellen is a nature play advocate and creative writer with a passion for helping families connect with the outdoors. She is dedicated to exploring ways to nurture children's creativity, independence, wellbeing and love for nature.