“Some kids are born super adventurous and risk-taking, and some are born wary, cautious, and prone to anxiety. It really just boils down to kids being scared of something new or addressing a phobia,” says licensed psychologist Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D., CNS. “You address it like you might address anything new for a kid: gently.” It might seem counterintuitive to plan “wild time,” but for many families it’s necessary, notes author and parenting coach Caroline Maguire, PCC, M.Ed. Working it into your routine, be it daily or weekly, shows that you have prioritized the activity and helps you follow through. Set plans are harder to skip out on than “maybe” plans. This will also help city-dwelling parents, as exposing your kid to wildlife does take more forethought. It might require you to get out of town for a day trip, which will mean planning transportation and packing essentials. “Many kids do well with these things; they just need a little push to go and do it,” says Beurkens. “But the second they do, they’re usually fine. Kids are actually really good about this stuff. Many learn easily.” And one key point, says Beurkens, is you need to model enthusiasm. Kids can pick up on any anxiety you might have, so if you are jittery while doing something, they will too. So when you give them a little nudge—whatever the activity—express your excitement. There, of course, is a limit. If you can sense your kid is having a real fear of what’s happening—be it on a new hiking path or confronted with a critter—you need to sense when not to push them. “If your kid is really having a panic or shutting down over it, you should stop; no growth happens in that moment,” she says. For example, she says, if they like reading: Get them an adventure series that deals with the wilderness or a nonfiction book explaining animals and plants. Or if they like arts and crafts, take them to a local park to draw flowers. If they like museums, take them to a bug exhibit. Or if they are into Legos and building blocks, try building something in a yard or park. “Just find something they are interested in and expand from there,” she says.
