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Fostering independence in children | Why is it necessary?

by Kelin George

September 21st 2022, 5:29 pm

You might have witnessed your child frequently insist on doing things independently. When they start eating solid food, your child might've tried to grab the spoon from your hands and feed themselves. As they grow, their 'insisting nature' might take over, at odd times demanding that they do things on their own– to get dressed or turn on the faucet at the sink.

These little opportunities where they get to do things themselves are how they build their self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. Sure, it's nice to be needed by children, but it's essential to prepare them for the world.

The more independent your child feels, the more competent, confident, and comfortable they are likely to be. Independent kids will slowly develop better decision-making skills as they have the freedom to pick and choose. Through experience, they hone other qualities like patience, concentration, self-discipline, and self-trust.

How to encourage independence in young children

Routine

A simple way to encourage your child to be independent is to create a routine. As in a sequence of actions that occur throughout the day. For example, the act of brushing teeth has multiple steps:

Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush
Brush teeth
Rinse mouth
Clean brush
Floss
Mouthwash

If your child is comfortable with their daily routine, they can predict what comes next and be prepared. Having your child do some prep work will give them a sense of control while letting them know that you trust their abilities.

Chores

You can ask your child to help you with chores, like setting the table before dinner. If every household member has a task, even if it's as simple as placing dinner plates on the table, it instills young children with a sense of belonging, independence, and accountability.

The list of chores can be as simple as putting away coats, backpacks, and shoes after entering the house, feeding the pet, or cleaning up their room.

Having a choice

Letting them have a choice in what they want is another great way to imbue independence. Let your child choose what they want to wear, or have them choose what they want for breakfast on Sundays. Giving your little ones the gift of independence can be your way of saying you value their opinions and trust their abilities.

Remember that having a young child do all these things will not happen in a day. That isn't realistic, but you can start small– build a routine where your child knows that a particular task is supposed to be done by them and go on from there.

Fostering independence in children is vital, but it makes sense always to consider the context. Being sensitive to your child's likes, dislikes, and circumstances goes a long way.

At byjuslearning.com, we provide curriculum-aligned, grade-level learning experiences for kids between ages 4 to 8, helping them build on skills they learn in school.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is NOT medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, provide medical or behavioral advice, treat, prevent, or cure any disease, condition, or behavior. You should consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your child’s development to make a medical diagnosis, determine a treatment for a medical condition, or obtain other related advice.