“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”
- Ann Landers
For parents, their children are their most precious treasure. While cherishing them is not harmful, excessive pampering can make them over-dependent. Independence is key to shaping well-rounded individuals, and studies, such as the Harvard Grant Study, show that self-reliant children are more likely to succeed in life.
Starting at an early age, children acquire significant features of development, and as they mature, they strive toward independence. In this respect, P K International School, one of the best schools in Chakan, Pune, has worked hard to develop an impressive framework to support independence through activities, projects, and decision-making activities to equip students to face future competitions.
Promoting independence does not only improve the self-esteem of a child but also their cognitive skills and their executive functioning. In this article, we will look at ways to raise independent children. We will also look at how P K International School cultivates independence in its students.
Check Out: What it Means to Develop the 'Inner Self' of a Child
Why Should You Raise an Independent Child?
An independent child is bound to grow into a diligent and conscientious adult. If a kid is preened from the beginning to do certain work on their own according to their capacity, they become more articulate and capable. In comparison to contingent kids, they fare better in their personal as well as professional lives.
Independent kids also showcase better rapport as has been pointed out in the following points:
- They are good decision-makers and make good leaders.
- They are tacit in nature and demonstrate sound reasoning ability.
- They ooze confidence and display self-esteem.
- They do not need to be lulled to achieve something if they are intrinsically motivated.
- They also showcase a stronger will and greater zeal to succeed than the rest.
How to Raise Independent Children?
Raising an independent child helps them become a responsible and capable adult. Teaching kids to do tasks on their own from an early age helps them develop better skills and confidence. Compared to dependent kids, independent children tend to do better in their personal and professional lives.
Moreover, independent children tend to have better relationships with others as has been shown in the below pointers:
- Teach Responsibility: Teach the children about responsibility by relaying to them what is expected from them. By assigning them certain duties according to their capacity as packing their school bags, keeping their study table clean, etc, you can inhibit this trait amongst them. This contributes to instilling not just a sense of responsibility but also teaches them the value of work.
- Make them Accountable: Imbibe in them the trait of accountability by having them bear with the consequence of any action. You can use rewards (by treating them with sweets or giving them stickers on fulfilling being a filial child) and punishment (for example forbidding them to have their favorite snacks for non-compliance) incentives for this purpose.
- Let them Do Things on their Own: When children accomplish something on their own, they are fuelled by the desire to learn and acquire new skills. Hence you should enable them as well as encourage them to do a certain task on their own (For example: eating their meal, or wearing clothes). While there is no problem in giving them direction, you should however abstain from helping them directly.
- Patience is Key: Be patient and tender with your child. Express your love towards them and ensure them that you will be by their side no matter what, to confront any difficulty. This in turn shall assure the child, boost their morale, and encourage them to take initiative on their own.
- Involve them in Chores: Delegate certain house chores to them regularly. This may involve doing their own dishes, folding clothes, arranging their toys, cleaning their rooms, etc. Not only shall it help the child to become self-sufficient and reliant but also instill in them respect for work.
- Impart Basic Skills: Teach them basic skills such as cooking simple meals, managing money, doing their own laundry, sewing tears in the fabric, etc. This shall help them significantly when they move out to dorms for higher studies and jobs. Not only is it important for self-care but it also makes them value the importance of learning and doing odd jobs and seeking solace from them.
- Acknowledge their Achievements: Always acknowledge their achievement however small it may be. Be it using the adult toilet successfully for the first time or learning a lesson by heart, let your children know that you are proud of them, appreciate their efforts, and celebrate their success. This motivates them to perform better.
- Exercising Autonomy: Provide children with an environment to exercise choice as well as autonomy to decide according to their caliber. Let them solve their problem on their own and encourage them to read. The latter serves as mental food and helps in cognitive development.
Also Read | Why Every Child Should be Taught Self-Reliance and Life Skills
P K International School: Empowering Children to Become Independent Learners
PK International School is a co-educational school located in Chakan, Pune, providing the children with a unique environment that enables them to grow in terms of knowledge as well as character. One of the best CBSE schools in Pune, PK International School is fully equipped with modern facilities, effective instructional methods, and dedicated staff to provide individualized education to the students.
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One of the major emphases of the school is the promotion of independence among the learners. Through a range of activities, project-based learning, and decision-making opportunities, children are encouraged to think critically and solve problems independently.
P K International School also encourages independent learning by using technology and engaging classrooms where the learner is assigned personal responsibility to learn on their own accord. Apart from helping them build academic abilities, it also orients them to face real-life problems, through perseverance, versatility, and creativity.
For more information on this and other similar schools in the area, check out this list of the best schools in Pune.
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This article has been reviewed by our panel. The points, views and suggestions put forth in this article have been expressed keeping the best interests of fellow parents in mind. We hope you found the article beneficial.