The Lionhearted Child: Unlocking the Courage Within

Fear may be the greatest obstacle to living a full and satisfying life—which is why courage remains one of the most valued character traits we can develop. With courage, we take life by the horns and live more fully.

Recognizing this, many parents rightly aspire to raise courageous children. But today’s culture often works against that goal. The “precautionary principle,” which encourages “worst-first” thinking, casts a long shadow. Parents are told that being responsible means imagining the worst-case scenario in every situation and making decisions accordingly. When fear is in the driver’s seat, children are kept from the very experiences that help them test their abilities, take calculated risks, and kindle the lionheart of their spirit. They miss the chance to cultivate their courage.

What Does It Take to Cultivate Courage?

Courage grows only in the presence of fear. Just as muscles strengthen only when pushed beyond their limits, children grow braver by stepping into situations that spark discomfort or apprehension. Fear is a natural part of life. Children need to be encouraged to step into their fears, and to see this as a precursor to growth and empowerment. 

Once in a fearful situation, it’s important that children proceed slowly. Small, manageable steps prevent overwhelm and make it possible to keep going. With each little victory, fear starts to lose its grip. These successes should be celebrated—they’re proof that the child is growing stronger.

Over time, something remarkable happens. Children who have faced and worked through a series of fears begin to develop a broader mindset. Fear no longer signals retreat, but a challenge to be met. This is the foundation of courage—a quiet, internal confidence that says, “I can face my fears, move through them, and reach my goals.”

Courage often arrives not as a dramatic declaration, but as a subtle, steady presence. It feels like a warm energy in the chest—an internal resolve that holds firm, even in the face of uncertainty. This is the lionheart beginning to take shape. If nurtured, it becomes a lasting part of the child’s natural way of engaging the world.

The Need for Carefully Calibrated Perils

As a child, I occasionally found myself falling from a tree or being chased by an angry neighborhood dog. These situations, which involved real dangers, would have given my parents cause for concern — but these moments also played a role in shaping my resilience. On the other hand, courage is rarely sparked by simulated danger, such as when a child plays a computer game or watches a scary movie. Deep down, we know the outcome of a simulation doesn’t really matter. 

Courage-building thrives on real danger, and this creates tension. As responsible parents, we can’t ignore safety, and yet we must set it aside to make room for courage. So what’s the answer?

The key lies in carefully calibrated perils—situations that sit just beyond the comfortable, and just shy of true danger. These are the sweet spots where courage can flourish. Most parents have experienced that moment on a swing set, when they push their child to swing just a little bit higher, slipping over the child’s threshold of comfort. The child comes alive in fear and triumph simultaneously. This is a treasured courage-building moment, but such moments can be too hard for parents to find.

Fortunately, such experiences can be designed. A well-designed climbing structure is a powerful tool for calibrating perils. It allows children to explore their fears in a controlled environment. Children step up to the edge of the unsafe, looking into its foreboding eyes, and experiencing a real sense of fear. The stakes are real, and the firmness of every foothold matters, but the dangers are calibrated. Bumps and bruises are possible in a well-designed climbing structure, but broken bones generally are not.

A good climbing structure presents a world alive with calibrated danger and real opportunities for courage-building. It’s treacherous in just the right way. It dares each young explorer: “Come inside and conquer my perils, little cubs, and you’ll unleash your lionheart.”