“Strive to communicate specific safety instructions, encourage critical thinking, and empower children to take responsibility for their own safety. By fostering a sense of autonomy and competence, we can better equip them to navigate the world confidently and securely.”
Dr. Pamela Stoodley
As mums, dads, babysitters, or teachers, our top priority is looking out for the children we’re responsible for. We’ve got this instinct to keep them safe and help them make smart decisions. But you know what phrase we often use? “Be careful.” It’s like our go-to when we want them to stay safe and sound. Here’s the thing: it’s not always the best way to get the point across. There are some pretty good reasons why we might want to rethink dropping that “be careful” bomb on our little ones. So, instead of just using this catch-all phrase, here are some practical alternatives that can make a real difference in your little one’s safety and learning journey:
Vagueness and Ambiguity:
“Be careful” is a vague and ambiguous directive. It lacks specificity and doesn’t provide children with clear guidance on what they should do to ensure their safety. Children might not fully understand what is expected of them, leading to confusion. So, when we tell a kid to “be careful,” it’s like giving them this super vague and fuzzy instruction that says, “Watch out, but figure out the details yourself.” It leaves them in the dark about what exactly they need to do to stay safe, which can lead to some major head-scratching moments. Uncertainty can trigger the brain’s stress response, making it harder for them to focus on what they need to do to stay safe.
Action: Instead of just going, “Be careful,” while your kid’s playing near a swimming pool, try something like, “Take it easy around the pool and don’t go running, so you don’t slip.”Overuse and Desensitisation:
We throw “be careful” around like confetti at a party. Parents and caregivers often use “be careful” frequently, and this overuse can lead to desensitisation. The more we say it, the less impact it has. It’s like the kid version of “blah, blah, blah.” So, we might be all worried, but they’ve heard it so much that they are just thinking, “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Certainly not the reaction we’re aiming for. Our brains are wired to adapt to repeated stimuli. When kids hear “be careful” repeatedly, their brains start filtering it out as background noise.
Action: When they’re scaling the jungle gym, give them the lowdown, like, “Hang onto those handrails as you climb, and don’t rush; take it one step at a time.”Fear and Anxiety:
Now, imagine you’re a kid and someone keeps telling you to “be careful” every five seconds. It’s like they’re whispering, “Hey, danger’s lurking around every corner.” Constantly telling a child to “be careful” can sometimes instil fear and anxiety. The brain’s amygdala, responsible for processing emotions like fear, can become overactive when kids are bombarded with repeated warnings. It may make them overly cautious or hesitant, hindering their ability to be curious and learn from their experiences. It can turn a fun adventure into a nail-biting, anxiety-filled mission, sometimes even shattering their confidence to explore.
Action: Rather than causing fear by saying, “Be careful,” when a child is exploring a new trail in the woods, you can try saying, “Let’s go on this adventure together. Stay close, and if you see something unusual, we can stop and observe it together.”Lack of Empowerment:
In terms of brain development, empowering kids to make decisions activates the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and problem-solving. Over emphasising the phrase “be careful” can bypass this important learning process which can be disempowering. It implies that adults are solely responsible for their safety and decision-making, rather than teaching children how to assess risks and take responsibility for their actions. When we keep saying “Be careful,” it’s like we’re telling them, “Hey, you can’t handle this, let the grown-ups handle everything.”
Action: When they’re out pedalling their bike, don’t just drop a plain old “Be careful.” Tell them, “Wear your helmet, signal your turns with your hands, and don’t forget to look both ways when you cross the street.”Missing Learning Opportunities:
Neuroscience tells us that active engagement and discussions create stronger memory traces in the brain. By skipping meaningful conversations about safety in favour of a vague warning, we miss the chance to create lasting lessons. Instead, we can discuss potential hazards, brainstorm strategies to stay safe and encourage them to ask questions or seek help when needed.
Action: Cooking with your little chef? Instead of merely saying, “Be careful with the knife,” you can engage in a conversation: “We use knives to cut food, and they can be sharp. Here’s how we hold it safely and keep our fingers out of the way.”Encourage Critical Thinking:
Promoting safety isn’t just about following rules; it’s also about developing critical thinking skills. We want our kids to think things through. Critical thinking engages multiple brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex. By encouraging kids to assess risks and make safe choices independently, we are stimulating their higher-order cognitive processes. Chatting about potential risks, what might happen if they make certain choices, and how to assess situations and make safe decisions all on their own is also promoting safety.
Action: So, here’s the secret sauce: be specific! If they are itching to climb a tree, don’t just say “Be careful.” Encourage critical thinking by saying something like: “Before you start your tree adventure, check out those branches. Are they strong enough for you? Look for good footholds, and plan your route before you go monkeying around.”Positive Reinforcement:
Lastly, let’s not forget to give them a pat on the back when they do make safe choices. Positive feedback triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, associated with motivation and reward. When we praise safe behaviours, we’re reinforcing their brain’s reward circuitry, making them more likely to repeat those behaviours. Instead of just harping on the caution, let’s cheer them on for doing an awesome job being smart and staying safe! That kind of praise goes a long way. Instead of focusing solely on caution, acknowledge and praise safe behaviours and responsible decision-making. Positive reinforcement can be a powerful motivator for children to continue making safe choices.
Action: After they ace crossing the street safely, don’t just settle for “You were careful.” Try something more like, “I’m super proud of how you remembered to look both ways and held my hand. You’re becoming a real street-smart pro!”
While we all intend to keep our children safe, the phrase “be careful” may not be the most effective way to achieve this. Instead, like the examples above, strive to communicate specific safety instructions, encourage critical thinking, and empower children to take responsibility for their own safety. By fostering a sense of autonomy and competence, we can better equip them to navigate the world confidently and securely.