How supporting children's independence provides long-term benefits
Introduction
When babies are born, they are totally reliant on their parents or caregivers for everything. As they grow they should learn to do things for themselves without adult supervision. This is a normal and important part of the growing-up process. In this article, we will learn how you as a parent or caregiver can support and foster Children’s independence and why is it important to do so.
Why supporting Children’s Independence Important?
Fostering and supporting children's independence and self-reliance as a toddler is the first step towards preparing them for the world outside the protective walls of the home and family. Teaching the child to be independent is one of the most important skills a parent can give to a child. Being able to make decisions and to do things for themselves helps to develop self-confidence in the child and makes them feel in control. This is a wonderful feeling that creates a sense of accomplishment and well-being. But this is only a part of the reason why children need to be self-reliant. Here are other reasons why independence should be inculcated in toddlers and preschoolers.
- Independence in a child is a great motivating force. It goads them to strive to do better and persevere.
- It makes them feel that they are in control of their life.
- It makes them more aware and sympathetic towards other people.
- It enhances their awareness and inculcates the virtue of responsibility.
- It makes a child more resilient and adaptable, which are important traits to help a child survive in the world.
- It inculcates self-belief and discipline. Independent children are confident children who can integrate well within society.
- Supporting children's independence will in time release the burden of parental guidance earlier in their life.
Thus we can see that supporting children to be independent is to empower them so they have all the tools to be successful in life and become a valuable asset to their community.
How to Support Children’s Independence?
As children grow from babies into toddlers, they are naturally curious and wish to explore. They may want to hold the spoon or the feeding cup at meal time. They may walk or crawl on their own. These are often the first signs of independence in children. From here it grows as the child grows and becomes more dexterous and agile. Then they may want to dress or undress. Pour water over themselves while bathing, comb their hair or try their parent’s cosmetics, etc. These are all signs of independence and their growing awareness of the world and confidence in themselves.
The best way to support independence in a child is to allow them to do things on their own or request them to help you with small chores. The tasks may be as small as picking up a toy while you are cleaning up, or to wash their hands and face, or picking the clothes they would like to wear. Simple things encourage children’s independence. Here are a few more things that you can do to make your child independent:
Setting Routines: One of the best ways to nurture and support children's independence is to have predictable routines. We have already discussed the importance of routines in our previous article and will suffice to say that when the child knows what to expect, it becomes easier for him/her to take on the responsibility of doing it on their own. If there is a set routine for going to bed, the child will know what to expect next and will often do it on his/her own.
Power of Choice: Let your child choose. One of the biggest signs of independence is being able to make decisions for themselves. This comes from making the right choices. Teaching a child the power of choice can begin with small things such as allowing them to choose the food they want to eat, the clothes they want to wear or the story they wish to hear, or things they want to do. Slowly they will begin to assert their own choices and become independent.
Assigning Chores and Allowing to Help: We have touched upon this before. Teaching a child to help and to do the work assigned to them is a big step toward making them independent. It doesn’t have to be big tasks, just small things like asking them to put away their toys after play is over. Taking off their shoes and putting them on the shoe rack, or putting their dirty clothes in the laundry basket. Let the child do these things on his/her own even if it takes longer and you are tempted to do it yourself. Encourage your child to help you around the house it helps in bonding, setting expectations along with making a child self-reliant.
Involve Them in Decision Making: planning a family trip, a family evening out, or even what to watch on the TV should be a collective decision. Let your child also be a part of the decision-making process. Let them express their opinions and listen to their reasoning. Supporting children's independence allows them to think and express themselves independently.
Conflict Resolution: Letting them deal with people on their own is a great way to teach them about relationships and what affects them. Children often get into fights during play. Do not intervene if it is not essential and let the child handle the disagreement on his/her own. You may assist and teach them about sharing and caring but leave the final resolution to them.
Accountability: Teach your child to be accountable for his/her own action. Children should not be protected from the outcome of their actions but should be made aware of them and disciplined in case it is required. Owning up to their actions is a big step towards independence.
Teaching and supporting children to be independent is like giving them wings and teaching them to fly so they never falter but soar, dip and land with ease. At GGN we encourage children to develop the skills that will make them self-reliant and emphasize the values you teach at home.
Arwa Naccho
CEO
Green Grass Nursery
Resources:
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-build-independence-in-preschoolers/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-foster-independence-in-children-2019110518223
