Risk taking (how to encourage)

[Goddess's mom]

I know a lot of people will be reading this thinking about how they are trying to discourage their child's risk taking behaviour

I look after a 7 YO who has a hard (REALLY hard) time taking risks. Does anyone have any ideas, tool, books to give me some ideas on how to help her gain more confidence and, I guess, resiliance.

[momto4plus4]

My oldest was that way when she was younger. She still is to a certain degree (9) but not as bad. What's helped her is being involved in sports that fit her personality. For her it's been swimming and dance and then this year, ice skating. She seems to not really want to try until she can master it which seems a little backwards to me but that's how she is. So, she's just been slower at some skills than others. She wouldn't even go down a slide until she was 3 or 4 at least. Didn't ride a 2 wheel bike until age 7, etc. Lots of praise and not much pushing on our parts. But, the sports with kids at her skill level, not necessarily her age, seemed to really help.