Colman Noctor: Should parents allow kids to take more risks from a young age?

By providing developmentally appropriate opportunities for independence, children can build confidence, resilience, decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility — critical attributes for successful adulthood

Colman Noctor: I believe these childhood risky experiences had a profound impact on who I am today. Picture: iStock

Like many latchkey children of my generation, I was granted considerable independence to explore our community. By the age of nine, I would cycle from my house to the local village 3km away to play with friends. 

During school holidays, there were days when my friends and I set off on our bikes ‘Goonies-style’ up the mountains for an adventure. I don’t recall telling my parents where we were going or what our plans entailed — we simply went wherever the road led us.