Family Field Guide: Tips on Raising a Fearless Kid

An explorer who loves snakes, a scientist who squirms into caves, an author who grew up during the Iranian revolution, and other fearless adults weigh in on raising fearless kids. [Growing up fearless during the iranian revolution]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [Growing up fearless during the iranian revolution]( [National Geographic]( . SUCCESSFUL ADULTS WERE ONCE PROBABLY FEARLESS KIDS. We asked our own fearless explorers, scientists, and authors how to bring out these traits in your children. (Hint: It's more than just facing down giant snakes and exploring ancient caves!) Then read more on [Nat Geo Family](. . NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC / PAINLESS TELEVISION (BOTH) ["Fearless Adventures With Jack RANDALL"]( [Jack Randall]( WHY HE’S FEARLESS: At just 14 years old, [Jack Randall]( left his home in England to become an apprentice to Steve Irwin, learning to handle snakes and other reptiles. Today he treks into the wild to teach others about anacondas, crocodiles, and other amazing animals. He's the host of the kids' video series [Fearless Adventures With Jack Randall.]( FEARLESS QUOTE: “Testing your comfort zone is scary. Provide children with all the support you can, so they feel comfortable pushing their boundaries and learning from any mistakes along the way.” [read the full interview]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . D. von Petzinger ["Explorer Academy: The Truth Behind"]( [Genevieve von Petzinger]( WHY SHE’S FEARLESS: As a paleoanthropologist, [Genevieve von Petzinger]( wriggles and squeezes through European caves in search of mysterious Ice Age rock art left by ancient people. She's also an explorer on the kids' video series [Explorer Academy: The Truth Behind](. HER FEARLESS KIDS: Two sons, 20 months and 6 years FEARLESS QUOTE: "I'd tell kids to be fearless and limitless in their imagination, and don't be afraid to take chances in life. There’s nothing wrong with being prepared or calculating the risk, but don't let the fear stop you from trying things.” [read the full interview]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . Lori Epstein / NGK Staff ["Taking cover"]( [Nioucha Homayoonfar]( WHY SHE’S FEARLESS: Born in Belgium before moving to Pittsburgh for her earliest years, eight-year-old [Nioucha Homayoonfar]( was living with her family in Tehran when the 1979 Iranian revolution began. She is the author of [Taking Cover: One Girl's Story of Growing Up During the Iranian Revolution](. HER FEARLESS KIDS: A daughter, 7 1/2, and a son, 5 3/4 FEARLESS QUOTE: “One of our jobs as parents is to raise kids to think for themselves and ask questions. By removing your own feelings, you’re allowing your child to form their own minds about the world around them.” [Read the full interview]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . . . Jessy J Photo (McKnight) ["How Things work"]( [Mindy McKnight and Kamri Noel]( WHY THEY’RE FEARLESS: Through her upcoming book [Viral Parenting]( YouTube star [Mindy McKnight]( navigates the sometimes scary online world for parents and children, including six of her own. One is 16-year-old daughter [Kamri Noel]( who has her own social following and is the host of Nat Geo Kids’ video series [How Things Work](. FEARLESS QUOTE (Mindy McKnight): “Demonstrating that we as parents aren’t afraid of failure is the best way we can teach our kids not to fear failure.” FEARLESS QUOTE (Kamri Noel): “Fear is often just a hesitation of taking risks. If kids are able to overcome this, they’ll make the most of every opportunity.” [read the full interview]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . Geraldine Kent (winterboer) ["Safari Live"]( [Stefan Winterboer]( WHY HE’S FEARLESS: As a senior field guide at Singita Private Game Reserves in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Stefan Winterboer has faced down charging lions, potentially dangerous hippos, and hungry crocs. He's also a host for Nat Geo's [Safari Live](. (Children can check out the [kid-friendly version]( HIS FEARLESS KID: A son, 6½ FEARLESS QUOTE: “We shouldn’t hide our children from their fears, or try to protect them from whatever scares them. But it does take time and conscience to develop courage.” [READ THE FULL ARTICLE]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . [MORE TO EXPLORE]( Teach children to be fearless with the compelling memoir [Taking Cover: One Girl's Story of Growing Up During the Iranian Revolution](. [Shop Now]( [MORE FAMILY CONTENT]( [From raising fearless kids to teaching children the importance of kindness, Nat Geo Family has everything parents need to help bring up the leaders of tomorrow.]( ›› [Email Icon]( [Sign up for more National Geographic newsletters]( [Shop]( [Donate]( [Subscribe]( [Travel]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( You are receiving this email because you elected to receive marketing communications from National Geographic under the terms of our [Privacy Policy](. Click here to [unsubscribe.]( If you reside in the EU/European Economic Area and wish to exercise all other data subject rights, [click here](. National Geographic | 1145 17th Street N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Copyright © 2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. {LITMUS TRACKING PIXEL}