Questions I Often Get Asked
What does “psychological safety” mean in child development?
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Psychological safety in child development refers to the experience of feeling emotionally secure enough to explore, make mistakes, and express uncertainty without fear of rejection or abandonment. It is not about removing all risk or discomfort, but about providing a reliable relational base from which development can unfold.
How is psychological safety different from overprotection?
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Overprotection aims to prevent discomfort before it arises. Psychological safety allows discomfort to occur within a context of support. When adults intervene too early or too often, children may be protected from short-term distress but lose opportunities to develop autonomy, resilience, and emotional regulation.
Can too much parental involvement affect a child’s independence?
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Yes. Excessive parental involvement can interfere with the gradual development of independence by limiting opportunities for children to make decisions, tolerate frustration, and recover from failure. Independence develops through supported exposure to manageable challenges, not through constant supervision or control.
How does attachment theory relate to independence?
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Attachment theory shows that secure attachment and independence are not opposites. Children become more independent, not less, when they trust that caregivers are emotionally available and reliable. A secure attachment provides the confidence needed to explore the world independently.