Building Confidence: Strategies for Supporting Independence

Hey Reader!

Summer is often a time that is a little more easy-going than the school year in our classrooms (or at home)! Let’s take a quick look into how we can support building some independence in our preschoolers during these summer months. Why does cultivating independence even matter? Well…you are nurturing their confidence, problem-solving abilities, and sense of responsibility. Isn’t that what we want our children to develop? Here are some practical strategies to help along the way:

1. Accessibility Matters: Arrange your classroom or home environment to be easily navigable for children. Low shelves and picture-labeled containers empower children to access their belongings without adult intervention AND enable them to return items to their designated places after they are done! Win. Win.

2. Offer Choices: Allow children to make decisions within structured parameters (don’t give choices that you don’t approve of). Provide options for activities or allow them to dictate the sequence of tasks. You’re practicing decision-making and boosting their self-assurance.

3. Foster Self-Help Skills: Encourage children to take care of themselves by teaching practical tasks. Show them how to handle lunch containers, manage zippers and buttons, and open snack packaging with gentle, limited guidance. Make sure you plan for extra time for dressing themselves so children can practice (and master) at their own pace. Remember that a little struggle is actually beneficial in building resilience. Encourage children to keep trying when something is a bit difficult the first time.

4. Establish Routines: Create predictable daily routines that allow children to anticipate activities. Consistent schedules for meals, playtime, and transitions help children develop a sense of autonomy and confidence in their daily activities. When they know what’s coming next, they feel a sense of control!

5. Encourage Peer Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where children learn from and support each other. Encourage group activities that require teamwork, such as cleaning up together or completing a group building project or art activity. Peer interactions provide opportunities for problem-solving, negotiation, and offering and accepting assistance.
Remember, nurturing independence is a slow, gradual process that requires patience and support. Prioritize coaching and encouragement over completing tasks for them. When they get it, praise them specifically for mastering an important skill! By equipping children with some of these tools for greater independence, we create environments that allow them to thrive and become confident, capable learners.

Cheering you on this week!

-Your ECCN team

P.S. Did you know we have a blog on our website where you can go back and read past newsletter articles like this one? Check it out HERE.

Listen to this podcast episode with Dr. Mimi Larson now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. ​

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Colossians 3:16

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”