At first, when a child meets something that scares him…
“At first, when a child meets something that scares him, the fear grows, like a wave. But when he goes into the water and swims - gets used to the water - the wave grows small. If we pull the child away when the wave is high, he never sees that, never learns how to swim and remains afraid. If he gets a chance to feel strong, in control, that's called coping. When he copes, he feels better.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Children overcome fear by confronting it repeatedly, gaining control and confidence.
In simple terms: Facing fear reduces its power.
Key Takeaway
Gradual exposure builds coping skills.
Themes
fear
learning
resilience
child development
exposure therapy
Mood
supportive
encouraging
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- therapy
- sports coaching
Key Concepts
conditioning
self‑efficacy
psychological growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What safe risks can you take?
- How does repeated exposure change perception?
A Different Perspective
Over‑protection can hinder growth.