Self-esteem within a person is developed at quite an early age. And this confidence can be stronger if children start having faith in themselves and their own decisions. Encouraging independence at an early age helps in this regard and develops a sense of responsibility and discipline in the children.

Children should learn to be independent from a young age, since learning a few life skills early in life can prepare the child to handle the demands of adulthood. Life is unpredictable and there will be moments when your child might fail at accomplishing a task. But if they are independent, they will be able to recognise their mistakes, reflect and be open to guidance in performing better.

Ultimately, being independent allows your child to start learning, take risks and make informed decisions by themselves. To guide your children to embrace independence early onwards, we have outlined a few tips below.

1. Creating a Structure and Encouraging Discipline: Needless to say, a structured routine is important for all. It fosters discipline and helps one keep track of his/her tasks during the day. Similarly, a daily routine makes it easier for children to think sequentially and make decisions in a controlled environment. Children learn to set goals, devise a plan and implement the said plan.
2. Allowing them to make their Own Decisions: One way to ease the children into making their own decisions is to give them the liberty to decide in simple, age-appropriate matters. For instance, in the case of primary school children, you could ask them questions such as what they would like to eat or which show they would like to watch. High schoolers, on the other hand, could be taught how to manage their time and money among other things. Introducing choices and encouraging children to choose, shows your trust in them and helps them understand the importance of prioritising and decision making.
3. Taking a Step Back: Often, taking a step back as a parent is important. Parents should encourage their children to be self-reliant and handle the consequences of their actions as appropriate for their age. You could aid them in problem-solving by giving suggestions and positive reinforcements instead of directly intervening. Additionally, you can guide your child in developing a hypothesis that would help your child understand all the possible outcomes of their decision.
4. Giving Responsibility to Develop Responsibility: To give your children a sense of responsibility, you could assign them age-appropriate tasks. You can give them some manageable duties that they can carry out as part of their daily routine. chores, that are otherwise considered mundane, can help children boost their self-confidence as they see that their work makes a valuable contribution to their family. By letting them take a lead on certain aspects, parents can also help children develop responsibility and take ownership of the choices they make.
5. Applauding the Effort: As mentioned above, children are happy when they see that their work makes a valuable contribution to the family. They are most excited when they successfully complete a task on their own. As parents, giving the child positive feedback and appreciating his/her effort helps greatly in promoting the confidence of the child. A word of encouragement or praise can strengthen the child’s belief in his/her actions and guide him/her in the right direction.