Developing Your Child's Independence During The Daycare Years
If you have a young child who is getting ready to head off to daycare or preschool, it can be a difficult time for yourself as well as your child. Separation anxiety from a parent is common in young children, but now is the time when you can contribute to helping them develop their sense of independence. Here are some tips that can help making the transition from staying at home all day to attending school easier for both of you by fostering an independent spirit.
Give The School Some Freedom
As a parent, it can be hard to let the school handle some of the issues your child may have while he or she is there. Sometimes it is OK to let the teachers handle problems on their own. For example, if your child doesn't like a certain book they're being read, let the teacher decide if they'll keep it as part of the curriculum instead of stepping in. This shows children that there are boundaries and rules they must follow and will help them learn obedience towards adults other than you. When it comes to serious matters like the health of safety of your child, stepping is acceptable but for matters of learning and growing, you should let the professionals handle it.
Foster Critical Thinking Skills
Very small children have virtually every choice made for them by their parents. In the daycare or preschool years however, it's a good time to let them start making some decisions on their own. An example of a good choice for young ones to make would be what they would like to wear for the school day or what snacks they prefer to pack in their lunch. Allowing your child to make a few, simple choices on their own is a good independence building tool. It's OK to set some boundaries when their decision may not be the best option, such as choosing to wear shorts in the winter, but they should start making a few calls on their own at this point.
Encourage New Learning
As children develop and grow, it's important that they obtain new skills quickly. By encouraging your child to read one extra book or finish their math problem for the night, you're helping them become more responsible and contributing to their sense of accomplishment. Let your child learn a new thing every week to keep them on the right track. If they've learned how to button their shirt, teach them to tie their shoes the next week. When children learn new things it gives them a sense of self confidence and helps them grow a desire to learn more on their own. All of these tips can help your young child better prepare for their school age years, and will give you peace of mind knowing they're becoming an independent person. Contact a school such as Montessori Of Woodridge for more information.
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