Independence is really important for child development. It actually takes more time to teach them and have them do it than to just do it yourself. That creates a bit of a challenge because how do we fit everything in? There is so much to do in a day. So we pick pockets of time that are more low key: after dinner, weekend mornings, or PD days, for example.
With laundry, I give them their basket of clean clothes and ask them to put them in their drawers. (They are ages 6 and 8). I used to fold them and leave them on the bed, but honestly, this new way is more efficient, and they squished them in during the old way anyway. We might as well be more efficient and let go of perfection a little more. In addition, the children are developing more skills by sorting their own laundry and following through with putting them away.
Another thing we do is have them pick a meal they want to be able to make for the family. My eldest chose crepes and my youngest brownies in cups. So now that they have done it many times each, they are more independent with it. They also love having their own recipe that they take ownership over. I would love to begin version 2.0 soon.
"Close the loop" is something I heard on Instagram that just means complete something till the end. We remind them to close the loop on their dishes by putting them in the dishwasher, close the loop on their entry through the door (i.e., tidy up), and close the loop on brushing teeth by putting the toothbrush away for tomorrow. It's easier to remind them to complete the task then to constantly be nagging them about every little detail.
I only put away their toys or clean their room with them. It doesn't magically happen. Tidying their toys is their responsibility.
What's something your child is learning to do independently?
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