This is the first article in a two-part series. Check back next week for detailed tips and solutions to common problems when introducing an independence routine!
Back to school season is here! Whether your child is already in the classroom or will be back soon, now is a great time to think about introducing more opportunities for independence into their daily routine.
The Importance of Independence
Even more important than wooden toys, materials on shelves, or a beautiful environment, independence is an essential part of Montessori education. Children are happiest when they have control over the things around them and take pride in being able to “do it for myself”. More than that, encouraging independence fosters self-estem, intrinsic motivation, and life skills that prepare a child for future success.
Independence and School Routines
Each family is unique and you know your child best. If a recommendation you read here doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t for your family, and that is fine. Follow your child and do what is best for them!
When looking for ways to give more opportunities of independence, I recommend starting small. Look at the list below and pick one thing to focus on. Better yet, discuss the choices with your child and see what they find most appealing.
Remember that change takes time and independence is a developed skill. Your child will make mistakes. They will need help and reminders. That is normal! The important thing is to keep supporting them towards the ultimate goal of independence in a gentle and sensitive way.
Some Ideas for Independence
Preparing Lunch– did you know children as young as two can make a simple lunch (think spreading peanut butter and jelly, washing berries, and placing crackers in a container)? School aged children can be charged with making their lunch the night before school, loading it into their backpack in the morning and emptying/ cleaning their lunch box that evening. Late school aged children (third grade and up) can plan their own menus and add needed items to a list. They can also track supply levels- goldfish crackers running low? Time to add it to the grocery list!
Dressing for School– another activity that can start at a young age, your child can pick out and put on their clothes. Show them how to use the weather app on a phone to see what the weather will be like and to pick out appropriate clothes the night before- don’t forget a jacket when it’s cold! Starting around kindergarten, children can be tasked with using the washing machine to clean their own clothes (with supervision) and putting them away. This is a great way to make your child accountable, especially if you have a kid who always wants to wear a favorite outfit.
Packing a Backpack– charge your child with gathering their own school materials. Do they need a special item for Thursday show and tell? Help your child mark it on the calendar, and model how to check the calendar each night. Are they supposed to empty their backpack each night? This is their job before they get screen time. With a little practice, even the youngest child can do this task with almost complete independence!
Time Keeping/ Schedule Creation- a great way to help children learn about time is to involve them with the morning schedule. Do you need to leave for your bus stop by 7:30am? Talk with your child about how much time they need to get ready, then set a few schedule goals for the morning. What time should they wake up? Be done eating breakfast? Starting getting shoes on? Be out the door? Then, you can work together to set alarms on a phone/ tablet or show your child how to watch the clock to keep on schedule.
In closing, I want to remind you that practice makes perfect. Keep trying and keep supporting your child, even when things don’t go right. Talk about it often- what is working? What isn’t? How can your child get better? It’s a long road to self-proficiency, but the skills your child will learn along the way will last a life-time.
Next week, we’ll dive into the “how to” of creating these routines and explore solutions to possible problems. Be sure to join us then!
