How to promote the autonomy of the child

In general, the overprotection of children to avoid suffering should not prevent giving that margin of confidence to the little ones so that they face the difficulties of the day to day, from eating only in the baby to brushing their teeth alone a child of three years. Each thing in its own time and a moment for each thing. Perhaps that would be the motto to promote autonomy: at each age a task that the child can take on without excessive frustration and fill those moments of independence with patience, without haste.

The rush plays tricks, other times the parents' own fears deprive children of experiencing or facing new or more difficult situations. Giving opportunities educates, strengthens, increases self-esteem and stimulates their creativity and intellectual development.

Autonomy and habits

Promoting autonomy in children is based on instilling or educating them in habits of independence on a day-to-day basis. These habits are nothing more than small tasks that the little ones can do on their own and are related to their hygiene, clothing, order or food.

A habit is something that is repeated, that orders the child's time and life, fosters his safety and, if he is responsible, gives him a certain sense of control and decision that encourages him to continue learning to be autonomous.

A first step could be the choice of clothing or hairstyle accessories, eating alone or showering practically alone under adult supervision, of course. You cannot expect them to do it right the first time: they will put their clothes on backwards, they will stain themselves eating or they will not rinse off the shampoo ... It does not matter! If you are offered these opportunities, each time you will do better.

At first the important thing is not that they do it well or badly but that they enjoy the security and pride of doing it alone. The effort and not the result should be rewarded, lovingly accompanying the small "mistakes" made with phrases such as: "You have done excellent, let me help you remove this little soap" "How well you have eaten, do you want me to from the last tablespoon of soup? " "You are precious! There is only one detail missing ... this little button ”.

Key points

To help us and provide us with advice and information as our children grow, it is important to have a pediatrician nearby. At times the opinion of a psychologist may also be helpful. With MAPFRE we have both services covered, since it offers the Pediatric Medical Guidance and Psychological Guidance Service, both of which are free for insured persons.

RELATED TOPICS

• Respect learning times
• Respect the child's maturation process
• Avoid the use of labels
• Accept the mistake as part of the learning process
• Recognize effort
• Congratulate achievements
• Motivate but not frustrate
• Take time and be patient
• Promote routines
THE OPINION OF THE SPET
• • Promoting autonomy in children is based on instilling or educating them in habits of independence on a day-to-day basis.
  • A first step could be choosing clothes or hairstyle accessories, eating alone, or showering practically alone.
  • The effort and not the result should be rewarded, lovingly accompanying the small "mistakes".
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