Trying new things

How do we encourage small children to try new things, to risk failure, to risk a sad outcome, to risk discomfort. There are some strategies that people use, the most common being to hype them up, both the child and the event. This has massive drawbacks because the child then has expectations that, if not met, cause devastation and disappointment, even if nothing bad happened at the event.
Another less used strategy might be to tell them as little as possible and let them find out for themselves. This also is not great, I rarely like to do something I know nothing about. When preparing for my first beach mission for example, I wanted a blow by blow description of what each hour of each day would hold.

I think the best way is to create a pattern where new things are tried regularly, with a choice not to, and accepting the natural consequences of trying each thing. Trying a new food may have the consequence of liking it or not liking it. If a child does not want to try an optional event or food, just say "OK, it is Simon's turn now then" and move on without a fuss. That way she will see that her decision not to try was firstly respected, and secondly did not receive any attention.

The worst things to do seem to be to firstly push the child into trying. This may mean that, even if the new thing is fun (like a water slide) they will choose not to enjoy it on principle. They may think they genuinely didn't enjoy it, then blame you for making them do something they didn't want to do. Secondly gushing and attending their tears with "Thats ok, you can have a lolly" This draws attention to and embarrasses the child in tears. A quite hug if the child reaches tears on their own, otherwise d not making a big deal of it is a good strategy.

I remember times when I accidentally cried in public, people crowd around so you can't escape, they ask you what the matter is requiring talking, they tell you that is no reason to cry (obviously it was) they tell you to stop crying. None of these are helpful, a quiet shoulder or by myself is best. I especially hate attention being drawn to it. If a child is crying because of perceived failure, they will also not want attention drawn to it.

Everyday new things to try with children to develop a pattern of easily trying and making decisions about new things might be:
Foods, active games, water fights, tickle fights, water slides, diving through legs in the pool, feeling different textures and substances, sleepovers, pillow fights, tasting different things, cooking new things, going new places, meeting new people.

They need to be new but not compulsory. Getting on a plane may be new, but it is also compulsory if the whole family is going somewhere.