Promoting Independence
Whether it’s a toy that is just out of reach, or learning to flip from their tummy to their back, even young children face problems and challenges every day. Problem-solving at this age is basic and practical – getting a bottle into their mouth, mastering head control, and using their noises to get you to pay attention to them.
- A great opportunity to introduce early problem-solving involves teaching your child about object permanence. Object permanence begins to emerge around 8 months old, and involves a baby’s understanding that when things are out of sight, they still exist. When your child drops a ball on the ground, do they look for it?
- You can promote object permanence by playing peek-a-boo, hiding a ball under a blanket, or holding a toy behind your back.
- Help your child develop a growth mindset. In order to solve a problem, your child must believe they have the ability to do so! Use encouraging phrases such as “keep trying” or “you this” to let them know that you believe in them.
It’s ok to step in during certain problems.
Intervening to teach your child how to solve a problem can teach them the steps needed to be an independent problem-solver in the future. Once you’ve shown them how to solve a problem, provide assistance when it’s needed, but remember that many of their problems at this age require a little struggle.
Allow your child to experience a little distress when facing a challenge.
Although this may feel a little uncomfortable for you both, your child has to be able to navigate some challenges in order to meet appropriate developmental milestones.
For example:
- Struggling to roll over from their tummy to back and then to their tummy again (around 6-7 months).
- Learning how to pull themselves up on the furniture (around 10 months) – even if they take a tumble.
- Learning to drink from sippy cup (or straw!) rather than a bottle
- And understanding that when you leave to go to work in the morning, that you aren’t gone forever.
You should never risk their safety or ignore your child when they are in need, but acting more as a sidekick rather than their hero will help them in the long run. It is often during difficult times that children develop and demonstrate strong problem-solving skills!
Your child is seeing lots of new faces and learning lots of new things everyday!
When problems arise, and kids don’t know what to do, it is common for them to feel some powerful feelings. As a caregiver, a little guidance and encouragement can go a long way! For more tips and tools to help your child manage emotions, click here.