Independent children live with the belief that they are competent and capable of taking care of themselves to varying degrees. Doing things for themselves allows children to develop a powerful sense of achievement and success. When children have opportunities to make choices and attempt things for themselves, they build on their own sense of self. By taking on responsibilities children feel in control of things that happen around them. Too often, we as adults don’t allow our children to make decisions or hold valid opinions – we need to listen to and respect children’s words and ideas and role model collaboration and cooperation.
We don’t want to promote an “all about me” attitude, but we do want to place independence within the wider context of the community to help children recognise the value of thinking about themselves and also others.
If the situation presented would your child be able to: