Parenting Tips – Increasing Children’s Independence

Parenting tips – increasing children’s independence

It can be tempting to want to do everything for your little one but growing in independence is an important part of their development. For parents, encouraging this can be a challenge, and it’s certainly true that some kids are naturally more independent than others. There are lots of different ways to support your child to become more independent in various areas of their life. Check out these top parenting tips for increasing your children’s independence!

Establish predictable routines

Establishing consistent routines for your children is a great way to encourage their independence. When they can anticipate what’s going to happen, it’s much easier for them to take responsibility for some tasks, especially when they’re doing the same things over and over again and become more familiar with them. As well as helping kids to become more independent, setting daily routines early on helps to prepare them for routines later on, such as starting school.

The power of giving choices

A useful way to encourage your little ones to think and make decisions independently is by offering them choices as a family. These can be little things that give your child some control over their day such as what to wear, which toy to play with, or what to have for lunch. When you’re letting your child make the decisions it’s worth giving two or three options to choose between so that it’s not overwhelming and they don’t make a completely wild suggestion. Once your child has made a choice, praising their ability to make a decision encourages the behaviour.

Work on potty training

Potty training is a big step toward an independent toddler and every parent has a different way of approaching it. One way of encouraging independence here is to give your child the tools to use the toilet on their own. Potty training equipment from online stores like Keplin Group offer training toilets or special seats to make the toilet accessible and help kids to adapt. Lots of support and encouragement are also important to help your child adjust to using the toilet independently.

Give your child responsibilities

Giving kids age-appropriate responsibilities encourages them to act independently. This might mean putting toys away when they’ve finished playing or bringing their plate to the kitchen after a meal. Working responsibilities into your child’s everyday routine normalises them, and with practice, kids can do these things independently. Minor responsibilities also prepare your child for having bigger responsibilities or household chores as they get older.

Give your child a chance to solve problems

When your child encounters a problem your instinct as a parent might be to intervene immediately. However, giving your child a chance to solve problems on their own encourages them to think independently and helps them to build confidence. If your child is struggling, you can provide a hint or wait until they ask for help before you get involved. This reassures them that support is available if they really can’t find a solution. There are a great range of problem solving activities for children online, so introducing these to your child could be a great way to start gaining their independence!

Allow negotiating

Every parent knows that kids don’t always want to cooperate. If your child is trying to assert their independence in this way, allowing for negotiations is helpful for encouraging confidence whilst you still maintain control. Negotiating also helps kids to understand compromise. Appropriate negotiations might mean offering a treat if your child does something they’re refusing to do.

Encouraging independent kids

Encouraging your little one to be independent can sometimes be tricky but these tips can be helpful. It’s worth remembering that it can take time for kids to really grow in self-confidence, but repeatedly using these methods can help them to develop and prepare them for doing more independently in the future.