10 activities to encourage your child’s independence

From an early age, children appreciate activities they can do on their own. They also develop a real sense of satisfaction when they can participate in family life.

Giving them tasks to do on their own, teaching them step-by-step the necessary movements to complete them, is a great way to help them grow, gain independence and self-confidence.

Here are some activities that you can offer your child from the age of 2 at home:

1- Washing the table

When the meal is over, suggest that your child wash the table with you, by giving him a sponge/cloth. Show him how to do this by choosing precise and structured gestures (e.g. always from right to left, starting from the top of the table ). Even if your child does not follow your gestures the first few times, he or she will enjoy wetting the table and removing any stains and will eventually reproduce your way of doing things. These actions will help them develop hand-eye coordination and precision.

2- Folding towels

When you put away your napkins, remember to get your child involved. First, show them a simple fold to get started (folding in half). When they have mastered folding in half, you can show them how to fold in 4. Your child can also put the napkins away when they are all folded properly. See video of fabric folding in a Montessori school

3- Washing the windows

With a simple squeegee and a spray bottle at the top, your child can start cleaning some of the windows in your house. The result may not be perfect the very first time, but encourage him/her, show him/her several times the gestures by gently breaking down the movements and you will see that little by little the washing will be more and more efficient!

4- Put on gloves

Take the time to teach your child how to put on gloves. Start in the autumn, before your child needs to put on gloves every day before going out. Offer this activity as a game, and give them the opportunity to repeat the gestures over and over again. This way, when it's winter, your child will be very proud and happy to be able to put on their gloves properly before leaving the house!

5- Cutting food

Children love to help their parents in the kitchen. Don't be afraid and trust them. Give them a small board, a knife suitable for the size of their hand (round knife not too sharp) and suggest they cut up pieces of cucumber or melon to start with, 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 up these foods on their own and put them in small bowls for the whole family.

6- Pouring water

The activity of pouring water is a key activity in Montessori education. It is an important skill that is used on many occasions (pouring water to drink, pouring water into a paintbrush jar, pouring water into a flower vase...). Suggest that your child first practices with a small pitcher that fits his or her hand and a glass. Prepare the right amount of water in the pitcher and provide a small sponge for the child to dry the table if necessary. Let them practice for as long as they want. This activity can also be repeated in the bath!

7- Zipping up a jacket

Knowing how to dress oneself is a skill that children are very proud to acquire. In Montessori schools, children practice on dressing frames. At home, you can take a waistcoat or jacket, put it in front of the child and show them how to put on the zip and then pull it up slowly. You may need to guide them at first but don't hesitate to let them try it on their own first. Only intervene if you see that he is about to give up. It is easier to learn on clothes that are in front of you than on clothes that you are wearing.

8- Washing clothes

Children love contact with water. If you have a garden or a terrace, don't hesitate to offer them this fun and highly satisfying activity: washing clothes with soap. All you need is a basin, a board (or a small wooden washbasin) and a bar of soap. First, show them the gestures, as slowly and precisely as possible. Also show them how to wring out the clothes and put them to dry. Then let him discover and experiment by himself. Video demonstration HERE.

10- Choosing clothes on their own

From a very young age, children like to choose their own clothes. It's normal: it's a way for them to express their personality. To make it easier for them, arrange a low cupboard in their room so that they can access their things by themselves by making a pile of t-shirts, a pile of trousers, a pile of jumpers... If things are at their height, the child will be able to choose their clothes independently every day and gradually get dressed on their own.