A study has shown that encouraging children to take risks, be competitive and engage in rough and tumble play can help prevent childhood anxiety disorders. But, unfortunately, this type of play is more commonly experienced by young boys than girls.

The study, which was undertaken by the Macquarie University's Centre for Emotional Health, the University of Amsterdam and the University of Reading, took place amongst parents of pre-school aged children in the Netherlands and Australia.

Upon learning that daughters "liked rough-and-tumble play as much as their sons" the "dads were often pleasantly surprised". "They realised they'd been treating them like princesses." Credit:Amanda Worrall

The report noted that fathers typically showed more competition with their sons, than their daughters.

Professor Jennie Hudson, a co-author of the study, said that "by gently encouraging their kids in a reasonable way to push their limits, parents could be helping to reduce their child's risk of developing an anxiety disorder."