Your child proudly proclaims, "No! All by myself, like a big boy!" at just 2 years old. What if this was one of the keys to their future success in all areas of life?
It is true that involving toddlers in daily tasks requires time, energy and often raises safety issues.
Sometimes, for the sake of protection or to gain efficiency, we are tempted to take over: "Leave it, I'll do it."
However, this famous "All by myself!" is in fact the signal of a physiological need commanded by their brain for the development of their intelligence.
The Hidden Power of Self-Reliance
Daily tasks are real playgrounds for developing reasoning, memory, organization, emotional management, cooperative spirit, and concentration...
Skills that we all use daily and which, if well developed, allow us to achieve our goals, face the challenges we encounter and create quality social and personal relationships.
And yet...
As Harvard's Center on the Developing Child points out:
“Contrary to popular belief, learning self-control, paying attention, and consciously memorizing information does not happen automatically as children grow up.”
Like any skill, they need to be developed.
This is why an article published by the University of Minnesota in 2002 writes:
"Parents everywhere, take note: By letting your children take out the trash, do the laundry, wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away the toys, you can make a big difference in their future."
In summary:
Children's brains are fertile ground that thrives on enriching experiences and interactions. As you can see, doing too much for them doesn't really help them in the long run; on the contrary, it can even be counterproductive. It's all a question of balance.
Let's trust them, their brain will thank us.
Sources:
M. Rossmann (2015). "Involving Children in Household Tasks: Is It Worth the Effort? Minnesota University"
Tepper, D.L., Howell, T.J., & Bennett, P.C. (2022). "Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition?" Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.
Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). "Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4 to 12 years old". Science (New York, NY)
National Scientific Council On The Developing Child. "Building The Brain's 'Air Traffic Control' System: How Early Experiences Shape The Development of Executive Function", Working paper 11.
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