Early years of life is the most impressionable age when children are naturally curious to explore and discover the world around them. Children learn a lot from their experiences, observations and explorations, which helps them to develop different perceptions and attitude. When their discoveries bring pleasure or success to them, they become more curious about learning newer things. At this stage, if children receive the right guidance, support, encouragement and the freedom to learn independently, they feel even more happier and satisfied. This means that independent learning is very important for growing children.
However, due to the lack of knowledge, awareness, realisation and parenting skills, many parents do not give their children the required independence especially during the growing years of life. Parents tend to restrict their children only to those interests & activities which they think are safe for their age. Further, they try to closely monitor their children’s lives at every step, with a view to protect them from potential risks and harm.
Although the protection, guidance and supervision of parents are essential for children at the growing stage, the little ones also need freedom to take decisions and develop their own attitude, perspective & interests. In fact, parents should motivate their children to learn independently, as it is very important for their holistic development. Moreover, through independent learning, children can learn in a much better way than through instructions and supervision. Further, children can develop creative thinking skills, concentration and perseverance, all of which are important for their successful learning journey in school, at home and also during the later years of life. It helps the children to keep up the enthusiasm in the work they do, as they feel happy to stay engrossed in the activity of their choice.
Therefore, as a parent, provide your child with the required independence to explore the world around her. Give her enough opportunities and time to choose and develop her interests. For instance, if your child wants to pursue a particular hobby, provide her with the required time, space and resources to think, learn and act according to her aptitude. Motivate her to become her own guide in the activity she does. Allow her to take risks, solve problems and take decisions on her own.
However, while making your child independent, do not leave her unattended and ignored. Make sure that the hobby or activity that your child has chosen will not have any adverse effects on her physical & psychological development. So, apart from providing your child with the much-required individual space to grow, be actively involved in her life. Ensure that she adopts the right path that can lead to success and will also give a sense of accomplishment in whatever she pursues. In addition, consider your child’s age, level of development and overall personality, as this will give you a clear picture about where you should allow freedom and when you should take control of the situation.
Ensure that your child understands the upper limit of her freedom as it is important for her to know the difference between the right and the wrong. Tell her that you are not restricting her from doing anything, rather, you are helping her to grow and learn in a learning environment. Make your child realise that as a parent, you play an important role in her overall development.
Apart from letting your child to explore, solve problems and seek answers on her own, always be there for her and provide her with a helping hand whenever required. With your balanced approach, your child will grow into a self-dependent, responsible and confident individual and will also be able to taste success in life.
The writer is Meenal Arora, executive director of Shemrock Pre-schools & founde-director of Shemford Futuristic Schools