Czech child‑development experts caution overprotective parenting ahead of first‑grade start

Psychotherapist Martin Zikmund explains that shielding children from disappointment, failure or conflict can hinder their transition to adulthood. He stresses the need for clear boundaries, opportunities to “fall” and learn to recover, noting that “children need unconditional love and acceptance, but also the chance to experience setbacks.”

A Czech primary‑school teacher observes a surge of parental anxiety each August as children approach first grade. She argues that the focus should be on basic life skills—tying shoes, using the toilet, greeting others—and on emotional resilience, not on academic perfection. According to her, children who can accept loss and handle frustration adapt more quickly than those pressured to perform perfectly from day one.

Both perspectives underline that allowing children to encounter manageable challenges in a safe environment builds autonomy and prepares them for the realities of adult life.