Encouraging Independence at Nursery Encouraging
independence is essential to the development of all young children, from
promoting problem-solving to offering responsibilities.
In this month’s blog at Parkfield
Nursery we are looking at the importance of encouraging independence
at nursery and the benefits this has on children.
Promote Problem-Solving Taking risks and making mistakes is how we all learn.
Trial and error should be encouraged, so problem-solving through a range of
activities is important.
Adults should give children the opportunity to solve
problems by exploring feelings and ideas. Ask them open-ended questions and
involve them in simple decision-making processes. An example of making an easy
decision could be what snack they would like, an orange or apple.
If you are planning to play a group game, involve the
youngsters in the rule-making process. This encourages them to think for
themselves. They are also more likely to follow the rules if they feel they
have come up with them!
No matter what problem-solving they are doing or if
they succeed, it is always best to provide positive feedback as encouragement.
Offer praise so that they feel confident in what they are doing and are not put
off from trying again in the future.
Offer Responsibilities Give youngsters some responsibilities such as setting
up and putting away games and toys. Whether they are playing with arts and
crafts, playdough or dressing up, having the responsibility of tidying up
teaches them to look after items.
Many nurseries have a pet that the children can get involved
in looking after. This can include helping to feed or clean out the pet’s cage,
for example.
While it is vital to support a child’s independence and help
prepare them for later life, it is also important to ensure they do not feel
too left to their own devices. They need to know that if they need help, there
is always an adult available to be responsible for them.
The Benefits It is vital for children to be encouraged in a range of
aspects of independence from a young age. Some benefits of developing these
skills include:
Self-Reliance Helping Others Self-Motivation Making Decisions
Resilience
Learning how to become more self-reliant and also
developing awareness towards others will improve their social interactions.
Becoming better at making decisions and practising patience makes children work
more harmoniously with others.
With the freedom to make some decisions, children will
feel more accomplished and gain confidence in their abilities. This can lead to
improved motivation to work hard through school, even when they find it
difficult.
Contact Us Get in touch with our team at Parkfield Nursery in
Carlisle for more information about the importance of encouraging independence
at nursery. Call us on 01228 543034 to talk to a
team member or send us a message via the contact
form for a prompt response.
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