Defining the traits and characteristics that go into “independence” can help caregivers and parents understand how to nurture a sense of independence in their children. Characteristics like trial-and-error problem-solving, tolerating failure without giving up, being able to develop confidence by seeing success, and accepting responsibility are all traits that go into being identified as an independent child.
“Understanding your child’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical capabilities from a developmental perspective may be the best place to start,” says Dr. Shefali Gandhi, a licensed psychologist in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Remember, your child is growing, which comes with struggles, and this may be hard, but independent children tend to grow into healthier adults.”
NURTURING INDEPENDENCE in Pre-K
CHILD READING LIST
★ “The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do” by Ashley Spires
★ “Just In Case You Want to Fly” by Julie Fogliano and Christian Robinson
PARENT READING LIST
★ “Steps to Independence: Teaching Everyday Skills to Children with Special Needs” by Alan Brightman and Bruce Baker
★ “The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives” by William Stixrud, Ph.D. and Ned Johnson
Modeling, emphasizing and teaching the skills of independence to your preschool child can help promote confidence, perseverance, and self-reliance. At this age, they should be learning how to navigate their environment independently through play and supervised exploration. They begin to develop a sense of purpose when they can explore, play, practice new skills, and learn to try new activities. When they successfully resolve this stage of
