Nursery World - Self help

Give children a chance to learn independence, says Jennie Lindon, within boundaries you can manage Within family life, children are in the process of learning a wide range of personal skills. When you work with young children, the image of them growing up into young adults seems very distant. But as a nanny you share with the children's parents the task of helping them steadily along the way.

Within family life, children are in the process of learning a wide range of personal skills. When you work with young children, the image of them growing up into young adults seems very distant. But as a nanny you share with the children's parents the task of helping them steadily along the way.

Of course you need to pay close attention to the children's safety and well-being. Yet children need to take manageable risks, as long as they are in a safe and familiar environment. If they are restricted and feel over-protected, young children will just use their initiative and may get themselves into trouble in their attempts to help or prove their competence.

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