AD – this is a sponsored collaboration.
Independent children are often the happiest children. It stands to reason that a child who is easily able to adjust to different settings, social situations and people is going to be more relaxed and happier than a child who struggles.
Independence is something all children are hardwired to learn. From the moment they are born they are striving to become independent beings. Learning to roll over, to sit up, to crawl and walk are all markers in their journey towards independence and it is a parent’s job to encourage that. This should continue on into other areas of their life though.
Approaching school age
As your child approaches school age, you might have concerns over their levels of independence. Here’s a list of things which many parents worry about or have concerns about.
- Doing up buttons and zips
- Putting on and fastening shoes
- Going to the toilet alone
- Washing hands properly
- Drinking enough water
- Playing and sharing nicely
- Being apart from their main caregivers
These concerns are all normal – even into the first couple of years of primary school some children might struggle with some aspects of self-care. The main thing to remember is that if you can assist your child to hone these skills then you will be helping them on their path to independence.
Older children and independence
As your child begins to grow up, the areas in which you might want to encourage more independence change. Again, some children speed ahead and become independent quite quickly while others struggle a little more.
The leaders of this secondary school in Devon believe that children who are allowed to develop at their own speed but with consistent challenges will always succeed.
Here’s a list of things an average 12 year old should be able to do. Don’t worry if some things are beyond your child – just work on those things and your child will soon get there.
- Cook a simple meal – Again this varies, some 12 year olds can make quite complex dishes but the main thing to remember is that basic is fine at this stage. A good meal to begin with is something like grilled chicken and a salad.
- Do their own laundry – This includes sorting dirty clothing into dark, white and coloured, adding the correct amount of detergent and managing the machine. Afterwards they should be able to hang the clothing out to dry or use the clothes dryer.
- Use public transport – For many children this is quite a frightening prospect, especially if they have not grown up using buses and trains or trams. But if this is the case, it’s a good idea to take some journeys with them so they become more confident.
- Manage a budget – It’s a good idea to give a set amount of pocket money and explain to your child about saving some, spending some and using some for the good of others. Even a tiny donation from a small pocket money allowance will be a good idea. An altruistic child is a popular child.
Remember, all children develop at different speeds and that’s fine. The main thing is that you keep encouraging and challenging your child.
