It can be hard for adults to accept that children grow and gradually become more and more independent and require less from adults. However, children finding their own two feet and learning to do things for themselves does wonders for different aspects of their development, including their self-image and emotional development as well as social development.
Independence for children begins with a child finding the confidence to try something for themselves. Children rely on adults for so many different aspects of care and it is a big step for a child to attempt to tackle a task independently. Children will soon realise that their actions have an effect, and will continue to explore and make sense of the world around them, attempting a wider range of tasks independently.
Practitioners need to ensure that children are given the opportunity to try things for themselves and attempt independence. Children can take a while to try and complete tasks that we as adults don’t think twice about, however these tasks are new skills a child needs to learn and practice in order to become independent! Practitioners need to be patient and encouraging towards children learning new skills, and ensure they are given lots of praise for what they have achieved. Praise for achievements helps to build a child’s self-image and will give them the confidence to try even more new things independently.
As well as children attempting tasks for themselves, for example, doing up the zip on their coat or fastening their shoes, encouraging children to make their own choices is a great and simple way to encourage independence. Allowing children to make their own choices and attempt tasks for themselves is important to help further children’s development. A little bit of extra time and patience from practitioners in these situations goes a long way for children’s self-image and confidence.
Child led activities and free flow play are an effective way to encourage children to make choices for themselves, where they are able to discover and act upon their personal preferences as well as resourcing their own learning.
Settings can help child develop their independence by ensuring aspects within the setting are child friendly, such as toileting and hand washing facilities, and facilities at lunch and dinner times. Children should be encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal needs, another step towards gaining independence.
Practitioners can encourage children to feed themselves from an early age through providing finger foods and child-friendly cutlery. The children are learning a valuable life skill, developing their motor skills and most importantly at all they are having great fun! However, if a child begins to become frustrated with tasks they are attempting independently such as self-feeding, practitioners need to give them encouragement and help them, remember they are still children! The child becoming frustrated can lead to negative feelings and an unwillingness towards self-feeding and other independent tasks in the future.