The dare devil child
How to treat your child and react when you see that your little stuntman climbed onto a bench ... himself placed on the living room table?
The need to go beyond the limits
Some children do not seem to know fear. Dared jack children are always looking for new ways to go beyond their limits. Often more energetic and adventurous than other children, they like to take risks and are not afraid of the consequences. They seek above all pleasure and thrills. That's what drives them to continue their experiments. It's part of their temperament .
How to handle a dare devil child?
The older the child gets, the more he becomes aware of his environment. It will then take less risk or at least they will be more calculated. The idea is not to limit it in everything, but to be vigilant and to teach him where the limits are .
Here's what you can do:
secure his environment by imagining what he could do. For example: install locks on doors and windows, avoid placing furniture where he could climb under windows, etc .
explain safety instructions, whether at home, at the park , at the pool or elsewhere. By naming your expectations in advance, your child will know better how to act. As soon as you arrive at the park, tell him, for example, that he has the right to slip, but not the head first, or that he can climb the ladder of the slide, but one step at a time, use small drawings to remind him of the safety instructions and behaviors you want to encourage.
For example: an image of a baby with fingers near the oven, the drawing of a child holding the hand of an adult near the front door,put on protective gear for activities where he is particularly adventurous (eg helmet and knee pads on bike and scooter)
Offer him activities that will allow him to work and satisfy his search for thrills in a safe environment (eg gymnastics).
Other sports, such as judo or karate, could also help the child channel his energy and teach him strategies to protect himself in the event of a fall.
Is the daredevil child at risk for ADHD?
A daredevil child does not necessarily have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Indeed, ADHD is a neurological disorder that affects how the brain works. As for recklessness, it's a question of temperament. This character trait can therefore evolve as the child grows and as he becomes aware of his environment.
How to react when he has dangerous behavior?
Since it is impossible to prevent everything, only prohibit clearly dangerous behavior, such as crossing the street without being accompanied by an adult.
Be consistent in all your interventions. Moreover, all the adults who monitor your child should give him the same message and intervene whenever he exceeds the limits.
From the age of 6, children gradually become aware of the danger.
If you witness dangerous behavior, stay calm and try not to panic. Say, for example, "No, I do not want you to do that," in a firm, clear tone, but without shouting.
Then explain to him why you forbid him to do this and tell him what you expect from him.
Praise your child when he does what you expect from him. You can even give him a little privilege to encourage that good behavior. For example, if he is waiting outside the door before going out, you can let him play outside for another 5 minutes.
The little daredevil likes to take risks and does not fear the consequences. It's in his temperament,
coach him by securing his environment and often reminding him of safety instructions.
With age, your child will learn to better measure the consequences of his actions.