RISK TAKING IN PRESCHOOLERS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN MOTHER’S AND CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS

In a structured interview, 131 preschoolers were asked to imagine themselves in potentially risky play situations and to report the risk level (a) they preferred and (b) their mothers allowed. Mothers reported their ideas about children’s choices in (a) and their own perspectives on (b). Answers about (a) were similar, but children’s perception of (b) were too optimistic. Only children’s choices in (a) predicted their injury behavior.In a structured interview, 131 preschoolers were asked to imagine themselves in potentially risky play situations and to report the risk level (a) they preferred and (b) their mothers allowed. Mothers reported their ideas about children’s choices in (a) and their own perspectives on (b). Answers about (a) were similar, but children’s perception of (b) were too optimistic. Only children’s choices in (a) predicted their injury behavior