As a part of the Power of Parenting session that focuses on the power of play, parents watch a Boston Basics video entitled Explore through Movement and Play. Throughout the video, young children test their abilities and experiment with their surroundings by climbing, jumping, and holding on to things.

Meanwhile, the parents in the video watch as their children explore and try these new things, giving them a chance to problem solve on their own.

This concept really resonated with Natalie, a mother in the Power of Parenting program.

The next time Natalie was at the playground with her daughter, Danielle, she put what she had learned into practice.

And she was so excited to share her success at the next session.

Usually, Natalie would spend all of her time following Danielle, showing her how to do things, and jumping in to assist with the slightest struggle.

But that day, Natalie stood back a little bit. And she saw a change immediately.

After having the chance to explore by herself, Danielle—who was usually timid and had a fear of slides—approached the big slide with confidence.

Natalie recalled, “I thought back to all the times holding Danielle as we went down the slide together. Every time, Danielle screamed and cried and kicked her legs the whole way down.”

Not this time! Danielle climbed up the stairs to the big slide and went down by herself—smiling. By the time Danielle arrived back on the ground safely, Natalie was overjoyed. She was so proud of her daughter and couldn’t wait to see what new thing she would do next.

Natalie knew that all she had to do was give her the chance.