Let’s Try
Here's What To Do
1
Encourage your child to try new tasks with your support as needed. For example:
- As your child is building with blocks, encourage them to see how tall they can build their tower.
- Allow your child to become more involved in helping to dress themselves.
2
Tell your child it’s OK if they feel frustrated if they make a mistake or things didn’t go as they thought. Help them to express feelings appropriately, and use a calming strategy they like. They can try again after, or at another time.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Settle into playing with or doing a task with your child, exclaiming, “Let’s try something new!”
E
Engage:
- Ask guiding questions to help your child to try new things while you play.
- “What would happen if you ___? Can you try?”
E
Encourage:
- Demonstrate how to do something new or challenging.
- Then, ask your child to try it too. Encourage them as they try.
R
Reflect:
- “How did you feel when you tried to ____?”
Not quite ready?
Do the task or explore the objects you’re playing with together. Demonstrate how to do something a little more challenging but manageable. Then, do it together. It’s OK if they don’t want to try it.
Ready for more?
Observe your child as they explore new objects or tasks, but do not intervene unless necessary. Suggest ways they can challenge themselves.
As your child masters this skill...
They will demonstrate risk taking during play and tasks, with support from adults.