How do adults contribute to children's sense of initiative?

A) By directing everything they do with a firm hand
B) By encouraging them to explore, try things out, and solve problems themselves
C) By punishing mistakes so the child learns to avoid them
D) By keeping them from trying new things because they might do it wrong

Encouraging children to explore, try things out, and solve problems by themselves, without undue criticism or punishment, helps to foster their sense of initiative. This allows them to develop a feeling of competence and desire to achieve, which can be carried over into other areas of their lives later on. Option A, C, and D can lead to a lack of initiative or a fear of trying new things, which may negatively impact the child's development.