A series of unfortunate spills and heartbreak when littles fall

My grandson has had a few tumbles lately and oh, the absolute HEART-ache at seeing his little boo-boos is wrenching. But, of course, we all know that little boo-boos just come with the territory. They are part and parcel of childhood, but that knowledge sure doesn’t make it any easier. Can we just wrap them up in bubble wrap? Please?

The urge to be a helicopter parent might overwhelm, but there is something to be said for just letting kids do what kids have always done; live and, hopefully, learn from mistakes. A great article on TheMontissoriRoom.com makes an amazing point regarding the findings of pediatricians, namely Dr. Pikler, who realized that children who “enjoyed the freedom to roam, run, and play where they liked”, were more alert, physically capable, and seemed to have the ability to prevent hurting themselves when experiencing a fall compared to the children that Dr. Pikler felt were over-protected who seemed to be more limited in movement and less aware of their physical capabilities or limits.

This isn’t a new philosophy but a decades old one, Dr. Pikler developed the Pikler Triangle back in the 1930s-40s and it is still in use today. You may have seen those wooden climbing triangles sometimes with slides or other things attached. Not everyone has the space or finances to use something like the Pikler Triangle but there are a multitude of different ways to ensure our kids are developing the motor skills needed to thrive in the world. Activities range all the way from Tummy Time for infants to creating obstacle courses with household items for older kiddos. The Montissori Room article has some great suggestions and there are more all over the internet for inspiration.

So take a deep breath and let those fledglings fly a little, just keep the boo-boo kit nearby.