Nursery World - A parent's guide to developing independence

It's time to leave and you are running late. So what happens when coats have to be put on? It may be quicker to do up the coat for your child rather than watching little fingers slowly tackling the task, but how important is it for children to do things for themselves and become independent? Why is independence important?

Why is independence important?

Independence is about learning to do things for oneself, which includes making decisions and taking on responsibility. These are hugely important skills for children to learn to cope with in adulthood. Helping children to become independent is seen as so important that it is a major focus of the Foundation Stage curriculum in England. This means that in your childcare setting there will be opportunities for them to develop independence.

Building confidence When independence grows a child's confidence also grows. As they master new skills or take on some responsibility, they begin to see themselves as being capable. This gives them added confidence and makes them more likely to try out new things.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included