Feeling safe and secure
Safe to explore
Children are more likely to explore, learn and try new things when they feel emotionally safe and supported.
- Feeling safe gives children confidence to explore their world
- Secure relationships help children take safe risks and try new experiences
- Children learn through curiosity, exploration and discovery
- Supportive environments encourage confidence and independence
Through a child's eyes...
“I feel brave enough to explore when I know someone is there to support me if I need them.”
In everyday moments...
Children build confidence to explore through small everyday experiences that feel safe, predictable and supportive. Encouragement, reassurance and opportunities to try things independently help children develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage your child to try something independently
- Allow time for exploration and curiosity
- Support children through mistakes and challenges
- Notice and celebrate small acts of confidence
- Allow space for safe risk-taking and problem-solving
Building through relationships...
Children are more willing to explore when they know trusted adults are nearby to support and encourage them. Warm and dependable relationships help children feel secure enough to take safe risks and try new experiences.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to have a go before stepping in to help
- Support children through uncertainty and new challenges
- Respond calmly when mistakes happen
- Celebrate effort, persistence and curiosity
Learning through play...
Play gives children opportunities to investigate, experiment and build confidence in their ideas and abilities. Open-ended play supports curiosity, creativity and independent thinking.
Simple ideas to try
- Provide opportunities for open-ended play
- Allow children to explore materials in different ways
- Follow children's curiosity and interests
- Create opportunities for problem-solving and discovery
- Create opportunities to test ideas and take safe risks
Creating supportive spaces...
Children explore more confidently in environments that feel safe, welcoming and supportive. Spaces that encourage curiosity and independence help children feel comfortable trying new things.
Simple ideas to try
- Create spaces children can explore independently
- Provide materials and spaces that invite challenge
- Create opportunities for manageable risk and independent exploration
- Allow children opportunities to make choices within the environment
Supporting children across contexts...
At home ...
Children build confidence to explore when families create environments where curiosity, independence and effort are encouraged. Sharing children's interests, strengths and growing confidence with educators helps support continuity across contexts.
Simple ideas to try
- Encourage children to attempt tasks and experiences independently
- Talk positively about trying new experiences
- Talk positively about mistakes as part of learning
- Celebrate effort and persistence rather than perfection
In early learning settings...
Children are more likely to explore and engage when educators create emotionally safe environments that support curiosity and independence. Partnerships with families help children experience confidence and consistency across the important places in their lives.
Simple ideas to try
- Create opportunities for child-led exploration
- Encourage curiosity, investigation and problem-solving
- Encourage children to persist through challenge and uncertainty
- Support children to take safe risks within play and learning
Try this today...
- Encourage your child to try something new with support nearby
- Pause before stepping in and allow time for creating solutions
- Celebrate effort, persistence and having a go
- Create opportunities for safe risk-taking through play or exploration
- Notice one moment your child shows curiosity, confidence or independence today