Raising an Independent Preschooler
As children grow older and start going to a preschool provider, they become more able to do things for themselves and explore their worlds independently. As a parent, nurturing and encouraging this growing sense of independence is vital in developing your child’s self-esteem. Taking on and successfully complet-ing small tasks gives your child a sense of accomplishment and belief in their own competence. Allowing them to make their own choices is another very effective way to encourage their independence. Of course your child should not be left to decide everything for themselves. Start off by giving them a few options which you can gradually increase with time. This prevents them from feeling overwhelmed and disorientated as a result of going from making no choices for themselves to choosing everything. Here are a few examples of activities that encourage independence at a preschool level.
Picking out clothes
This is a simple yet fun activity to do with your child. It may be better to do this the night before if you find that the mornings are too rushed. You could even have your child pick out outfits for the whole week.
Setting the table
Helping with the preparations for a family meal can teach your child that everyone needs to pitch in. Hav-ing regular family dinners at the table is also a useful time to teach your toddler table manners and eti-quette. With time you can also let your child help with the clearing up after the meal.
Putting away toys
Not only will this chore make your life a lot easier, but it will go along way in teaching your child to clean up after himself or herself. If your child is still very young you can help him or her with this activity and even make a game out of it.
Cleaning his or her bedroom
The sooner your child is responsible for keeping his or her room clean, the easier it will be for this respon-sibility to turn into a good habit with your child.
Taking care of a pet
Not only will a pet bring an immeasurable amount of joy into the family, it can also be a good way for you to give your child some extra responsibilities. You can put him or her in charge of feeding their pet or giving it a bath etc. Just make sure your entire family is ready for the commitment of having a pet, even one as small as goldfish.
Listen to your child
Another important way to develop your child’s confidence is by listening to and engaging with them when they express their own ideas and when they ask questions. This will not only encourage free and inde-pendent thinking but it will also boost their self-esteem by letting them know that they have something to offer the world.
Encouraging independence is one of the best things you can do for your children. It is important not to constantly redo what they’ve done. If their outfit is a little outrageous or if their bed is not very well made, it may be better to just go with it. Lastly don’t forget to praise your child for his or her accomplishments. A little thanks or a compliment can go a long way in building their confidence.