Inside: Helping Your Child Become More Independent. Collaborative post.
Independence is a huge skill that will be instrumental in developing a child’s confidence, resilience and decision-making skills. It’s crucial that parents encourage their children to form a sense of independence as they grow older in order to pave the way for their future.
In this guide from a private nursery in Pimlico we explore how you can help your child boost their skills in independence.
Give them age-appropriate chores
Having a level of responsibility in the tasks you pick up will make children feel like they’re doing their bit in the house, and it shows how they can actually do a lot of things they may not have realised before. Start out by giving them tasks that you believe they can manage without your direct supervision, like cleaning down worktops and other surfaces in the house, dusting and mopping floors.
This can then be increased to other tasks in the house like knowing how to properly load a washing machine or dishwasher, vacuuming and more.
Let them have time alone
While it is easier said than done, leaving them to their devices each week will help them become aware of what they can do without their parents around. There will be times where you have to head out and your child can’t come with you, which is when you can test how your child will be on their own.
Slowly work on this to the point where they can be left for extensive periods of time keeping the home tidy and safe.
Allow them to explore many different activities
Not all activities your child enjoys will be in school. In fact, plenty of kids pick up a number of activities or hobbies away from the school grounds, such as martial arts, scouts and swimming. Usually an hour or two at a time, your child is effectively being left to handle the situation by themselves (although you may not be far away) but they’re having fun and can get involved in the activity they’re a part of.
Encourage sleepovers and other ways of forming friendships
So long as it’s appropriate and safe, your child should feel comfortable with having a sleepover, or heading to a friend’s house for a few hours. They’re not entirely on their own, but they are away from their parents for a while and they will be tested in their socialising and communication skills.
This also shows that your child can interact with others without any outside assistance, indicating that they are confident enough to do what they like within reason.