Collaborative Post
Independence is key to your child’s development, especially when it comes to understanding their own responsibility and how they can make their own mark on the world. To give your child that opportunity, you should aim to give your child the freedom to pick up tasks that will work on their independence. It helps to have parents that are willing to take that step back from overseeing all that their child does, while also providing support where necessary for them.
Here are some tips from this girls prep school to help you teach your child about independence.
Give your child the understanding of independence
Make your child take charge of different tasks instead of relying on you to work it out for them. Let them set out their school uniform each morning, for example, and make them tie their shoes and pick up after themselves. These will be the first steps your child will take when it comes to their independence. Make them feel a part of the process and they will soon know how to handle themselves.
Give them chores
A great way to immerse your child into independence is by letting your child learn how to clean. Show them how to load the dishwasher and get them using the vacuum cleaner. Get them involved in different tasks that make them aware of how they can help around the home. It makes them more responsible and a part of the home through doing manageable tasks to improve their sense of work ethic.
Get them involved in volunteering projects
Learning to be a part of social groups and volunteering work will help your child learn how to communicate and delegate tasks. It allows your child to get a sense of what they can do to be a part of a community in small ways. A lot of care homes and charity shops will help your child learn about what they can do to help, and it helps your child become aware of common struggles in the wider world.
Provide the space for your child to think independently
If your child is looking for ways to think on their own terms, then provide them the space to do so. Give them that understanding of independent thought by asking them questions and giving them the space to respond to you freely. Let them come up with their own opinions and provide points for argument to get them thinking about a range of different perspectives.