Encouraging Independence & Responsibility In Young Children

"Never do routinely for your children what they can do for themselves."

Susan Reichart, MOPS mentor

Encouraging independence in preschoolers is vital if you want them to grow to be a responsible adult. Not only is a natural desire for a young child, but it is a healthy desire for them to have! A child encouraged to do things for him/herself grows to be a more confident child, willing to take risks and learn from mistakes. For a preschooler, a sense of self-worth comes from being able to do something without an adult's help. Here are 7 ways to encourage your child toward independence and responsibility:

1. Encourage your child to complete self-help tasks, such as cleaning up spilled juice or sweeping up paper from a cutting project.
2. Break complicated tasks into small steps and celebrate all the little successes along the way.
3. Praise the effort, not the task: “You didn’t give up and kept trying until you opened the toothpaste. Way to go!”
4. Build extra minutes into your daily routines to allow your child to complete tasks without being hurried — such as putting on his own socks, buckling her own seat belt, etc.
5. Allow your child to brainstorm and try his own solutions to a problem. Resist giving him what you think is the easiest/fastest/best solution.
6. Help your child make a book or poster of all the things she can do. Read it when she is feeling frustrated or disappointed about not being able to complete a task. Adding photos of your child doing things for herself would be fun, too!
7. Give your child simple chores around the house such as setting the table, putting away the silverware, watering a plant, or feeding the family pet. Other age-appropriate chores for preschoolers include: dressing themselves, wiping the table or counter, wash their hands, dusting (Swiffer Dusters are wonderful tools for little ones), picking up toys, folding towels, putting books on a shelf, etc.

For these tips and other resources related to helping your preschooler be more responsible and independent check out the Let's Explore Blog.