Ideas to stimulate the autonomy of children

Stimulate the autonomy of children It is easy if parents are clear that we should let them do things alone, even if at first they get dirty, break something or do not do things right. These ideas that we propose will help you to promote your autonomy from the 2 years of the child.

Tricks to promote the autonomy of children without demanding too much at the beginning

Nor is it about demanding too much, and much less, at once, because it most likely ends up discouraging you on your way to getting the autonomy personal, before his inability to do things perfectly and at first.

It is recommended that you ask for small results at the beginning Then, once you have learned and have more confidence in yourself, you can demand a little more each time. You can start by asking him to make his bed every day. At first it will be eternal and will be a bit sloppy but, after a while, you will be surprised with your skill and speed to carry out in this small commission.


Do not fall into the habit of many parents to do things to their childrenBecause we are going faster, we do it better, etc. In the medium and long term, you will obtain better results by teaching him, just as it is more profitable to educate him. What is uncomfortable a priori? Yes, but it's worth it. For example, you have to lose the fear that you can stain or hurt yourself, investing in time and patience. Use the game and you will discover how easy they learn habits simply by playing.

Keys to success to stimulate your child's autonomy

- Be patient. At the beginning, children must be given time to learn how things should be done.

- Avoid criticizing him. You will only make your child angry or discouraged.


- Demand and affection. Encourage him to do better, without demanding.

- Encourage your initiative. Give new opportunities to show that each time he / she can do more things alone.

- Encourage him constantly. You will get motivated to continue on that path.

- Congratulate him on his achievements. It will aggravate him to know that he has the recognition of his parents.

- Show total confidence. That trust must be felt fully for both your ability and your willingness to do things right.

- Give new opportunities continuously so that you can put yourself to the test, always placing yourself on the threshold of tasks difficult enough to be stimulated and easy enough for you to perform and motivate.

Autonomy, in the day to day is where they learn the most

We give you some ideas so that they can do the tasks themselves:


- Between 12 and 18 months you can start eating alone. Buy her a really big bib and enjoy this moment. At first, a large part will go out, but patience, you will end up doing it superbly. Do not get impatient and give him your food, you will only achieve a setback in the development of his autonomy.

- Your son must have a stool to climb, so that it reaches the sink or countertop, whenever you want to help you in the kitchen. If he is energetic, he can scrub the pots and if it is quiet, he should dry them. From 3 or 4 years.

- The bathroom is a very appropriate place to develop your independence. Teach him to open and close the taps, to use the plugs in the bathtub and the sink, to first put cold water in the bathtub, then add the hot. You'll get her to prepare her bathroom without getting burned. Meanwhile, prepare all your things: the mat for the feet, the bathrobe, the shoes, the pajamas. He must be responsible for himself. Since 3 years old.

- From very small (2/3 years) must learn to use the door handle and the latches, so you will avoid being locked. The overprotected children are those who have the need to experiment and end up locked in without knowing what to do.

- You can turn the moment of making the bed into a game since two or three years. Put each one on one end, take the comforter, or the sheets, and start making waves with it, look up and down, and once well shaken, you fit into the bed between the two. Little by little, playing, you will be teaching him how to make his bed. Do not worry if it looks better or worse.

- When emptying the dishwasher, You can order him to order the pots that go in the lower cupboards, from two years old; with 3 or 4 that begins to order the cutlery; At 5 or 6, up on the stool can help you place in the high cupboards. Without realizing it, you are teaching him to classify, to assimilate the concept of volume, etc., very important ideas for early mathematics.

- You will be surprised what they like to sweep and scrub the floor of the house. In addition, you will be strengthening your gross psychomotor skills in your hand and wrist, so important for writing later.

- When dressing, arm yourself with patience and try to do it alone. Buttoning buttons develops fine motor skills, putting on shoes helps you distinguish right and left, etc. Carrying out these small daily routines covers your child's need for independence, so he will stay absorbed and focused on them while doing them.

Ana Aznar

Video: LoveParenting: How to Encourage Independent Play


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