Like adults, children possess a wide variety of personality traits. While some preschoolers want to do everything by themselves, others are still gaining confidence in completing activities and trying new things. The early childhood stage is one of the most beneficial times to build a foundation for independence. So, to encourage your child’s autonomy, consider these four simple steps to help them build confidence and perseverance each day.
1. Build a daily routine together.
If you’ve ever read a favorite book to your little one hundreds of times, you know that preschoolers love repetition. You can use this preference to craft a daily routine to help them build self-sufficiency. New skills should be scaffolded, so start with ample instruction and guidance and then gently step away once they’ve showcased mastery. At first, they may need help putting on clothing, brushing their teeth, or packing their backpack, but eventually they’ll be able to do these things themselves. Practicing independence can also help kids gain confidence in their own ability, strength, and problem-solving skills.
2. Remember that growth is inconsistent.
Some days, you’ll be astonished by all the skills your preschooler has. Other days, they may struggle to do things that were previously easy for them. Learning and growth isn’t linear, and building autonomy takes time and patience. Try to discern when your child is ready for a new challenge and when they need additional support. It might be a challenging balance, but you can trust your instincts about when to step up and when to step back.
3. Give them space to try.
Kids who are given the space to grapple with a complex task can sometimes exhibit grit as a result. This trait, first studied in depth by Angela Duckworth, is the tendency of an individual to show perseverance in the face of obstacles to reach a desired goal. The level of grit a child displays has been positively correlated with higher SAT scores. In fact, it’s a stronger predictor of academic achievement than IQ. It can be hard to watch children struggle to reach a goal, but allowing them to do it themselves can better equip them in the long run.
4. Encourage them to voice their choices.
A large part of building autonomy is respecting and listening to your children’s choices. As long as they are safe, it may not matter if they put their LEGOs away before or after they have breakfast. By giving them a choice, you’re providing them with the chance to exercise personal agency. Giving children choices about how they structure their activities can help build personal responsibility, while increasing their emotional investment in their daily lives.
The Gardner School Builds Confident Preschoolers
One of our very favorite things about caring for kids is watching them grow into kind and independent individuals. We help little ones practice autonomy by providing a scaffolded, supported environment where they can grow their skills. If you’re looking for exceptional child care that helps support your family, contact us today to learn more, or check out our virtual tours on our website for The Gardner School nearest you. You’ll quickly see why parents choose The Gardner School!