As a parent, you understand it’s crucial to teach your preschooler how to be independent and get on her feet. These are suggestions and daily activities that encourage independence among young children. Although it’s pleasant to know that your child needs you and feels satisfied to care for them and help them, you must strike a balance between taking care of them and allowing them to become independent.

We certainly wish for them to develop the ability to lead their lives as productive and content adults. Independence is a trait that children are entitled to learn. It is among the most fundamental psychological requirements that children all have.

How to Teach Children to Be Independent?

There are plenty of methods to help children learn to be self-sufficient and have fun in their childhood as they should.

Give Responsibilities That They Can Handle

Your child doesn’t have to begin making massive choices. For example, if you’re planning an outing and want your child to help out, ask him to create an inventory of what you’ll require or put it in his bag for the brief weekend getaway.

Don’t Hand-Hold Your Child

Many parents mislead their children by assigning them the task only to ask them to stop if they’re not performing in line with the instructions. When children are young, it’s best to help them and give suggestions, but not interfere with them while performing an activity. But, once the task is completed, you can discuss with your children how the job could be done much more quickly.

Introduce Choices with Limited Options

If you are dining out, offer your child a few alternatives from the menu, and request him to select from them instead of an expensive menu. Beginning with the basics will allow him to make a decision quickly and help him prepare for more complex options.

Let Your Child Make His Own Decisions

Your child may prefer their homework to be completed before going out for a play, but it is possible that he would rather play first at times. Also, you should allow a certain amount of flexibility in smaller areas, such as deciding the clothes to wear and the type of snack to have if he keeps the promises he makes, and you don’t face any issues.

Have Empathy towards the Child

Your child is beginning to develop independence, and this will not be an easy one for him. Don’t scold him even when he isn’t able to complete something. Support him and offer assistance without judgment.

Don’t Make Failure a Big Issue

There will be occasions when your child may fail to complete a task, and you may be frustrated. Be patient with your child and tell him that it’s acceptable to be disappointed. Help him learn from the mistakes and attempt again. You may see him repeating errors, despite being warned; however, it’s okay; allow him to take the lessons he learned from his mistakes. 

Teach Your Child to Solve Problems Independently

If it’s school issues or any other issue with siblings or friends, tell them it’s normal to experience issues, and let them work through them independently. Assist them in giving a different viewpoint of the issue

Independence is crucial due to

1. It builds confidence and self-esteem as also motivation and persistence at school.
2. It builds self-confidence, allowing your child to believe that they are in control of their lives.
3. It provides your child with a sense of significance and belonging, which is crucial to building Relationships with others and contributing to the broader world.
4. It helps them develop their self-awareness and sensitivity to others and teaches them how to aid others around them.
5. It encourages self-motivation because they can discover their motivations to succeed.
6. It gives them the confidence that they’re competent in looking after themselves, making them more capable of overcoming external challenges.
7. This allows them to make informed decisions since they are free to think about various options before selecting the one they believe is the best.
8. It helps develop other vital traits like concentration, patience, self-help, cooperation, discipline, and self-confidence.
9. It allows them to fully experience life and learn many essential lessons.
10. They are happy and healthy, as they experience an immense sense of accomplishment and achievement because of their actions.

Conclusion

As parents, you feel great-great when your children need you. You are grateful when they seek you for advice and affection, even for the peanut jam and jelly sandwich. Do not worry; your kids will always depend on you in one way or the other. However, it Must be remembered that the long-term goal of parenting is to help your children move from being entirely dependent on us and help them become self-sufficient thinkers and doers. This isn’t a simple task.

Initially, inspiring children to play an active part in their everyday lives may be intimidating. Helping your children develop independence is an opportunity that keeps going. You cannot guarantee that you won’t break when you send your kid away to boot camp or weep when your daughter enrolls in an outside-of-state university. You will lose the heart you hold dear when you let your children out into “the “real world.” The knowledge that you’ve helped your children be independent gives you the confidence and courage to let go and take on.

Originally Published on https://grampsjeffrey.com/

Gramps Jeffrey Professional Author

Gramps Jeffrey’s children’s book, “I Don’t Want to Turn 3”, explores what goes through a toddler’s mind that parents are so desperate to understand. It is based on the true experiences he has had with his 6 grandchildren that were born 2 each to his 3 Millennial daughters.

Gramps Jeffrey is the pen name for Marc Joseph whose first book “The Secrets of Retailing…How to Beat Wal-Mart” was written to help entrepreneurs and small businesses compete against the big guys. Arianna Huffington read his book and asked him to contribute to the Huffington Post. He has written over 100 articles about small businesses, education, the homeless and several other nonprofit topics dear to all of us.

Gramps and his lovely wife Cathy live in Scottsdale, Arizona where 2 of his grandchildren live. 2 more live in Austin, Texas and 2 in Orlando, Florida.