Support Independent Skills In Your Children.
Gosh, I remember those busy mornings with young children trying to get everyone out the door. Some days I wanted to cry it was so stressful! Then my organised husband started creating systems or “homes” for the girl’s belongings & our mornings improved tenfold. The girls rose to the challenge, the morning chaos only surfaced occasionally & they started to take pride in caring for their possessions.
Fast forward a couple of decades & I’m now an Early Childhood Educator in the Pre-Kindy room. The children in my care are 3-4yrs & I can happily say, they love having some control over their life & belongings. Supporting them in developing self-discipline skills creates self-esteem & independence plus it’s wonderful to hear “I did it Jaz” ringing around the room as they hang their hats & put their shoes at their bag.
Tips for fostering independence
- Most children thrive with routine, boundaries & consistency. Be clear with your expectations.
- Chose a home for their belongings & stick to it. Eg Hats on the hatrack, shoes on your bag & water bottles on the shelf. Try not to change it up too much as the children will get confused.
- Explain & demonstrate where items live & how they can easily locate them when needed.
- Gently remind your children if they get distracted & know you will need to call them back if they’ve forgotten.
- Make sure you commend the children when they remember. These are important daily life skills they are learning from a young age. Encouragement will keep them focused on the task.
- And of course lead by example – You can’t expect your children to be organised if you’re not. It’s much simpler to achieve than you might think!!
Our Pre-Kindy children have gained so much confidence in their transition times. Knowing to hang their hats & place their water bottles on the shelf prepares them for the morning ahead.
And this system can transfer to home life as well through consistent repetition & gentle support; your children will amaze you with their independent skills.
I’d love to know how you support your children to become more independent.
Comment below or drop me a line hello@craftylittlefolk.com
Jasmine xxx