10 activities to encourage your child's independence
From an early age, children enjoy activities they can do on their own and derive real satisfaction from participating in family life.
Giving him tasks to do on his own, teaching him step by step how to complete them, is a great way to help him grow, gain independence, and build self-confidence.
Here are some activities you can offer your child at home from the age of 2:
1- Washing the table
When the meal is over, ask your child to help you wash the table, giving them a well-wrung damp sponge. Show them how to do it using precise, structured movements (e.g., always from right to left, starting at the top of the table). Even if they don't follow your movements the first few times, children will enjoy wetting the table and removing any stains, and will eventually copy what you do after a while. These movements will help them develop their hand-eye coordination and precision.
2- Folding towels
When putting away your napkins, consider getting your child to help. Start by showing them a simple fold (fold in half). Once they have mastered folding in half, you can show them how to fold in quarters. Children can also put the napkins away once they are all neatly folded. See video of fabric folding in a Montessori school
3- Washing the windows
With a simple squeegee and a spray bottle, your child can start cleaning some of the windows in your home. The results may not be perfect the first few times, but encourage them, show them the technique several times by breaking down the movements slowly, and you will see that little by little, their cleaning will become more and more effective!
4- Putting on gloves
Take the time to teach your child how to put on gloves. Start in the fall, before your child needs to wear gloves every day before going outside. Present this activity as a game and give your child the opportunity to repeat the steps over and over again. That way, when winter comes, your child will be very proud and happy to be able to put on their gloves correctly before going outside!
5- Cutting food
Children love helping their parents in the kitchen. Don't be afraid and trust them. Give them a small cutting board, a knife that fits their hand (a round knife that isn't too sharp) and suggest they start by cutting up pieces of cucumber or melon, then apples or pears. Save the carrots for later as they are more difficult to cut. Your child will be delighted to be able to cut these foods themselves and put them in small bowls for all the family members.
6- Pouring water
Pouring water is a key activity in Montessori education. It is an important skill that can be used in many situations (pouring water for oneself, pouring water into a pot for paintbrushes, pouring water into a vase of flowers, etc.). Suggest that your child practice first with a small pitcher that fits comfortably in their hand and a glass. Pour the right amount of water into the jug and provide a small sponge so that your child can check if they have spilled any water. Let them practice for as long as they like. This activity can also be repeated in the bath!
7- Close a zipper
Knowing how to dress yourself is a skill that children are very proud to learn. In schools, children practice on dressing frames. At home, you can take a cardigan or coat, place it in front of your child, and show them how to pull the zipper up and then zip it up gently. You may need to guide their movements at first, but don't hesitate to let them try on their own first. Only intervene if you see that they are about to give up. Learning with clothes placed in front of you is easier than with clothes you are wearing.
8- Washing laundry
Children love playing with water. If you have a garden or terrace, why not suggest this fun and highly satisfying activity: washing clothes with soap. All you need is a basin, a washboard (or a small wooden wash tub) and some Marseille soap. First, show them how to do it, as slowly and precisely as possible. Also show them how to wring out the laundry and hang it up to dry. Then let them discover and experiment on their own. Demonstration video HERE.
9- Folding your clothes
After showing your child how to fold towels, you can show them how to fold their clothes. Choose a fairly simple folding method and show them how to do it on the floor, on a rug, or on the carpet. Involve your child as much as possible when putting clothes away in the closets. This will help them realize that everything has its place in the house and that neatly folded clothes are pleasant to wear and easy to find!
10- Choosing your own clothes
From a very young age, children like to choose their own clothes. This is perfectly normal: it's a way for them to express their personality. To make this easier for them, organize their closet so that they can access their belongings on their own by making a pile of T-shirts, a pile of pants, a pile of sweaters, etc. If everything is within their reach, children will be able to choose their clothes independently every day and gradually learn to dress themselves.