Teaching Children Responsibility and Independence
In ECFE classes, we have been talking about this topic. Most parents feel it’s important to teach children to be independent and responsible. Parents want this for their children for two reasons. One reason is that responsibility and independence are important for success in school. The second reason is that these qualities are helpful at home in the running of a household and they also promote self-esteem.
What does responsibility mean for a preschooler? Establishing routines and having chores is one way parents can help their children learn to be responsible. Some chores for young children include: picking up and putting toys away, setting or clearing dishes, making the bed, dusting and feeding pets. Another aspect of responsibility is learning to be independent and taking care of themselves. For a preschooler, that means self-help skills like: choosing an outfit and dressing with buttons and zippers, using the bathroom by themselves (including washing hands and flushing), personal care such as brushing teeth and hair, avoiding toileting accidents (once potty-trained) because of busyness. Responsibility also involves parents modeling appropriate behavior. How responsible are you? Do you pay your bills on time, obey speed limits, or do your chores in a timely manner? Children learn more from what parents do that what they say. Parents’ attitudes toward responsibility are transmitted to children.
Parents must remember that each child is different. Some will learn these responsibility skills more easily than others. Developing skills takes time and patience, both for parents and their children. Children who learn responsibility benefit by developing a sense of belonging to family, a sense of being needed, and a positive self-concept, as well as by learning independence as they prepare for adulthood.