As a parent, you want to make sure that your child does not experience frustration or feel upset. However, if you constantly take away any obstacles that they might face, you are not doing your child any favors. In fact, doing so can lead to learned helplessness. Here are 5 suggestions to help your child become more independent.
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Start Slowly
Start by teaching your child how to handle small tasks and complete simple jobs. This lesson will give your child a sense of accomplishment in addition to helping them to develop skills to handle everyday activities. Some simple jobs that you can give kids include setting the table, putting away their toys, taking care of pets, and putting on their clothes.
Stop Rescuing Them
Guide children on decision-making as opposed to instructing them to do certain things. Avoid stepping in whenever you see them struggling as you are likely to lead them to become dependent on you to rescue them whenever they are unable to do something. Allow your child to make mistakes and learn from them.
Encourage Often
Ensure that you applaud your child’s efforts, especially if they complete tasks without asking for help or whining. Give praise even if they fail and ensure that you let them know that it is ok to fail as long as they try again. Praise their efforts no matter how small and try to encourage them to handle larger and harder tasks independently as they grow older.
Focus on Both the Journey and the Destination
Do not expect kids to learn how to do things independently right away. Rather, encourage them to learn slowly and master tasks at their own pace. Above all, avoid rushing kids to learn or become independent quickly as doing so can discourage them from trying new activities from fear of failure.
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Respect Their Choices
One of the best ways to help your child more independent is by respecting the choices they make. Allow them to choose the type of clothes they want to wear, their favorite ice cream flavor, and selecting their desired TV show. You can prevent a situation where your child feels like they have to keep consulting you for even the smallest decisions.
In Conclusion
When helping your child become more independent, they can use their problem-solving skills and have the confidence to try out new things. Remember to teach them that it is okay to fail and try a different approach to achieving their goals. When you raise your child to become independent, they will grow to be an adult with critical-thinking skills.