By: Preschool Teachers
Building independence is part of an individual’s social skills; self-reliance allows the child to feel they have control over their life. If a child is not allowed to gain independence, they may react with anger and resistance, especially during their phase of self-affirmation, which is often wrongly called the phase of opposition. Children may also react with feelings of abandonment and develop a seemingly indifferent attitude. By offering the child activities that make them more independent, you allow them to gain confidence. While teaching them new skills you also help them to develop qualities such as patience, concentration, self-help, cooperation, self-discipline, and self-trust.
The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence
-Denis Waitley-
Parents need to encourage independence by providing choices, with opportunities to learn from those choices and their own mistakes. Children become increasingly independent as they learn to solve problems, make choices, and then face the results of their choices.
In November, we gave the challenge to increase “I can do it by myself!” stage to PS2 children. Letting children do things for themselves is how they learn to develop their independence. It’s amazing to watch the children being independent and able to do a lot of things without any help in such an amazing way. There are some activities that children can do on their own, such as putting on and taking off socks and shoes, combing hair, taking care/feeding pets, eating, pouring drinks, tidying up the toys, etc. The earlier children share a portion of daily duties, the better for everyone.
A dependent child is a demanding child. Children become irresponsible only when we fail to give them opportunities to take on responsibility.
– Rudolf Dreikurs and Margaret Goldman-
We can also focus on efforts by encouraging children to try new things and be creative without the pressure to succeed or be perfect. Encouragement is never about the result. Instead, it embraces the process. Ideally, they’ll learn not to fear failure at all.
https://www.firstdiscoverers.co.uk/encouraging-child-independence/
https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/parenting/6-tips-raising-independent-children
