This summer, I noticed something significant: a growing number of children at events were nervous about getting involved. Schools & councils with parents & grandparents had gone out of their way to organise fun, exciting, child-focused experiences, yet many children flatly refused to join in.
We’ve all been there, trying to encourage our kids to take that first step into something new, whether it’s tasting a different food, making a new friend, or joining an unfamiliar activity. It often feels like an uphill battle to get them to do something they should be excited about. So why do children often find it so difficult to try new things?
I’ve encountered this problem in the past with my children, time and time again. While I want to respect their wishes and autonomy, I also think its so important for them to discover activities they love, that challenge them, and that benefit their health and wellbeing. I want them to be happy, healthy, confident children.
Why Can New Experiences Be Scary for Kids?
It’s important to remember that as adults, we have far more experience and knowledge than our children. For them, the world is full of unknowns, which can be both exciting and intimidating. Understanding their perspective is the first step in helping them. Here are a few reasons why new experiences might feel overwhelming for children:
Fear of Failure: Children often worry about not being good at something straight away. They may fear failing, or looking silly in front of others, which can stop them from even wanting to try.
Comfort in Routine: Children find safety in the familiar. Whether it’s their favourite meal or a daily routine, stepping out of their comfort zone can feel like stepping into uncertainty, which can be scary.
Pressure to Succeed: Sometimes, children feel pressure, whether that is from themselves, parents, or peers, to be successful right off the bat. This pressure can make trying something new feel stressful rather than fun.
So, how can we help our little ones overcome these fears and embrace new experiences with enthusiasm?
Simple Strategies to Support Your Children
I’ve found success with my family by implementing a few simple tactics:
1 - Frequent & Trivial New Experiences:
Think ‘Normalise New’. New experiences often come with investments of time, effort, and money, and there’s a natural desire for us to want our children to make the most of these opportunities. However, this can add pressure on both sides: pressure on the child to engage and pressure on us to ensure they do. This often leads to a ‘tug-of-war’ and can ruin the whole experience for everyone involved.
I recommend integrating ‘new’ into your routine with minimal investment (money, time, and effort). For example, if your children have a snack after school, designate one day as ‘new day,’ where there’s always something novel to try. During your weekly shop, pick up something different each time to introduce small, regular new experiences into your routine.
Emphasise the process:
"Do you think this week’s snack will be your new favourite?"
"Was today’s snack a good surprise?"
"Well done for trying it! It’s a shame you didn’t like it, but do you think next week’s will be better?"
"It’s fine if you don’t want to eat it; dinner isn’t far off anyway."
I had a lot of success introducing this into our bedtime story routine. My children had their favourite books that they wanted to hear over and over and over again, so we made a big deal of ‘new book night,’ and it has now become the most fun night of the week that we all look forward to.
Don’t make it difficult, think about where you can add an easy win to your current routine, where you’re happy for them not to engage if they don’t want to. This normalises new experiences and reduces the pressure associated with new things. It provides your children the opportunity to make their own decisions without you feeling guilty about them wasting an experience.
2 - Control the Build-Up
Our children subconsciously, and consciously, match our energy and emotions. If your life is anything like mine, you’re often rushing, constantly asking your children to get ready to leave, often stressed out, and sometimes overstimulated. The number of times I’ve asked my children to put their shoes on, hold their water bottle, or put their coat on, only to find them shoeless, bottleless, and coatless, setting up a ‘quick’ board game when we’re already five minutes late, is beyond frustrating.
It helps to recognise this behaviour as a possible delaying technique because your child might be nervous. Often, the energy generated in getting to a new experience isn’t lost when they arrive. Just being mindful of this can make a big difference. If your outward presentation is confident and excited, there’s a greater chance your children will pick up on that. Sometimes, arriving a few minutes late but relaxed can be better than being on time but anxious when trying something new.
How Zumba Kids Can Help
This is how I can help. I’ve realised that I can make Zumba Kids more accessible to children who struggle with trying new things, while also supporting them on their journey to embracing the new.
Praising Effort, Not Success In Zumba Kids. Our focus isn’t on getting the moves just right, it’s about getting up, moving, and having fun! I concentrate on praising effort. Whether they’re mastering a new dance step or simply giving it a go, I celebrate their courage and energy. This helps build their confidence and makes them feel good about trying, regardless of the outcome.
Reminding Them There’s No ‘Right’ Way to Do Zumba Kids. One of of the best things about Zumba Kids is that it’s all about self-expression. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do it, just whatever feels good to them! I encourage kids to make the moves their own, whether they want to add a spin, a jump, or their own funky twist. This freedom removes the pressure to “get it right” and replaces it with the joy of creativity and movement.
Involving Kids in Decision-Making. When children feel involved, they’re more comfortable and excited about participating. That’s why I like to involve them in the decision-making process. Whether it’s choosing a song for the session, picking a theme for the next class, or suggesting new moves, giving them a say helps them feel more connected and invested in the experience.
Let’s Get Moving!
Trying new things can be a challenge for children, but with the right support, it can also be an adventure. Through Zumba Kids, I’m committed to creating a space where your child can explore, express themselves, and have fun without the fear of getting it wrong. So, if you’re looking for a fun way to help your child break out of their comfort zone, come and join us at Zumba Kids. I’m always here to help, so please feel free to message me if you’d like additional support in getting your child to engage with exercise. Together, we’ll make trying new things a dance party to remember!
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