One of our main goals as parents is to help our kids become independent. It’s not always a walk in the park for kids to become more self-sufficient and responsible, and for parents, letting go can be challenging, too. Even though we might know better, as parents it’s only natural that we want to do what we can to make things easier for our kids. We tend to jump in and rescue them from their mistakes and try to shield them from any struggles or failures.
To get the skills, determination, and self-reliance they’ll need to become independent, kids need to face some challenges. Caregivers from a Silver Spring preschool share that encouraging kids to become independent is going to take some time and effort on their part, but for you as their parent it’s going to take a lot of trust.
As the parent you are supposed to help your child become independent, while also taking care of and supporting them. Striking the perfect balance between promoting independence and nurturing support can take time and effort.
At first, it may not make sense, but letting kids make mistakes is the best way to teach them how to do well in life. When your kids do make a mistake reassure them that it’s okay to make mistakes and help them think of ways to improve next time. If necessary, come up with ways to fix the problem as well. People should see mistakes as chances to learn.
This way of thinking can help with both small and big mistakes. For example, if someone doesn’t bring an umbrella when it’s supposed to rain, they are going to get wet. Or they might fail a test because they didn’t study the night before. It can be hard to let them feel the pain or sadness of their choices, but they need to feel these things. Allowing them to go through the natural consequences of their choices helps them figure out what they should have done, so they know better for next time.
The last thing any parent wants to do is sit back and watch their kids struggle. But if you teach them that loss is just feedback, they will develop a growth mindset. With this mindset, they can handle any problem and make better future decisions confidently.
Giving your kids the freedom to make their own choices is a great way to boost their confidence and teach them responsibility. For example, letting your child walk home from school with a friend or letting them choose what shirt they want to wear to preschool in Silver Spring. Kids have more chances to learn how to think on their feet and deal with natural outcomes when they are able to make their own decisions.
Parents can show they value and respect their kids’ choices, ideas, wants, and needs by giving them lots of chances to make their own choices (and learn from their mistakes). It’s good for kids to practice making their own decisions as much as possible.
Remember that kids can get stressed out if they have too many choices. Don’t ask them what they want to do, as it’s open-ended. Instead, give them two or three choices that you are okay with. This will help you say “yes” to whatever choice they make.
Kids really need some room to grow and learn. They will only become more independent if they are allowed to do things on their own. Help your child become more self-reliant by letting them explore on their own without too much supervision. If they’re having fun in another room, just let them enjoy it without you. But if you really need to check in, try to do it quietly. If you see a disagreement with a sibling or friend, let them try to work it out on their own before stepping in. Look for at least one opportunity each day where your child can achieve something independently without you being right there with them.
There are many good things about getting your child to talk about their feelings and thoughts on a certain subject. When you encourage your child to express their opinions it gives them the courage to speak up in the future, plus it also makes them feel like they are being heard. Kids are better able to think for themselves when they feel like they can share their ideas.
To help your child become more independent, encourage them to start doing things on their own and give them the space needed to do so. Having small and realistic expectations can really benefit your child in ways you might not realize.
You want to get kids to handle some things on their own instead of always jumping in to do it for them. Letting kids take on some responsibilities gets them excited. It’s normal for them to want to be more independent as they grow up.
It is really important to encourage and support them by letting them tackle simple, age-appropriate tasks independently. If we give in to the temptation to do it for them, we might actually hold them back from growing and learning.
Try to hold back from correcting your child when they’re working on something by themselves. So, if you ask your kiddo to make their bed and it doesn’t look just right, try not to jump in and fix it. Just remember, perfection isn’t what we’re aiming for. The whole point of letting them do things on their own is to help teach them learn how to do things on their own. If they feel they need to meet your standards every time they try, they might not want to keep putting in the effort.
As parents, we want to feel needed by our children. And let’s be honest, we love it when they need us, whether it’s for a hug, advice, or even just a small snack. We actually fear the day when they will no longer need us.
We do need to keep in mind, though, that our long-term goal as parents and caregivers at a preschool in Silver Spring, MD, is to help children go from needing us for everything to being able to think and act on their own. And doing all of this is going to take some time. At first, teaching kids to be independent in their daily lives might be scary. But trust us, helping your kids become independent is a gift that keeps on giving.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.