Nursery World - Me do it!

Children are making moves towards independence from their earliest days. Nursery workers should take care to encourage them without pushing for perfection or taking advantage of the extra pair of helping hands, says child psychologist Jennie Lindon Babies and toddlers need a great deal of physical care because in the early months they cannot look after themselves. But it is surprising and impressive how soon babies want to use their physical skills and feel part of what happens. Toddlers and young children are keen to feel competent. They may announce a firm 'Me do it!' and even become distressed if they are not allowed to have a go.

Babies and toddlers need a great deal of physical care because in the early months they cannot look after themselves. But it is surprising and impressive how soon babies want to use their physical skills and feel part of what happens. Toddlers and young children are keen to feel competent. They may announce a firm 'Me do it!' and even become distressed if they are not allowed to have a go.

Our role as helpful adults is to support children and to appreciate the value of this area of their early development.

We talk sometimes about independence, but this word can be misleading, especially where adults are tempted to want children to manage without any help or thanks at a young age. Perhaps it is better to think about how young children steadily learn to manage the skills of self-reliance by carrying out daily tasks. Another approach is to see how under-threes learn to share in their own care.

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