As children grow, their need for independence grows too. Babies want to eat on their own while preschoolers want to choose their own clothing. Parents can be supportive by providing children with safe and structured opportunities to practice independence-building activities.
Let kids dress themselves
Picking out clothes and getting dressed are simple ways for children to build confidence. Let kids pick out their own outfits for the day (if weekday mornings are busy, consider planning outfits for the whole week on Sunday). Children may take longer to put on their own clothes, so a good time to practice is when you’re not in a hurry. It’s a good idea to start with clothes that are easy to put on, like elasticated pants over a button/zip fly pair.
Dressing themselves is a great way to help kids build fine and gross motor skills. Some daycares in New York and other states may teach these skills as part of their program, so give kids a chance to practice what they’ve learned.
Provide small tasks or responsibilities
Giving kids small jobs is great for building independence and self-reliance. Putting away their own toys is a useful step to add to their routine. Start by getting them to help you pick up toys for a couple of days. Once they understand how to sort the toys and where they go, they can take over the activity. As kids grow older, they can try other small tasks like setting the table or putting condiments away.
Let them try new activities
Kids are naturally curious and want to try new things. While keeping them safe is important, you can also give them opportunities to try new things that support healthy development. Watching your child participate in outdoor activities like riding bikes or climbing trees can make some parents apprehensive. However, these healthy challenges can support your child’s growth and development in the long run.
It’s important to keep kids away from potential hazards and unsafe activities, but age-appropriate play and exploration helps them with critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Give kids small choices
An easy way to support critical thinking skills is to offer kids small choices daily. Some kids enjoy choosing their own outfits. Others may want to choose their own bedtime storybook. The key is to offer limited choices and ensure you’re comfortable with all the options you present. You may need to set some boundaries or provide guidance occasionally, but having the ability to choose can help kids feel empowered and in control of their lives. Early education at preschool can be a structured environment with few choices for kids, so this is something all families can do at home to facilitate a child’s cognitive skills.
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