Fostering Independence

  "Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world." - Maria Montessori

 

 

My daughter has always shown interest in learning how to do things herself. I love identifying and creating ways to help her easily complete tasks in our home that would otherwise be difficult. The joy on her face when she is able to do things on her own is contagious!

 

A water spout in the fridge provides the opportunity to get a drink of water on her own. Yes, there are spills ....

 

She carefully carries the full glass of water to her wash table.

 

 

She grabs her own towel to dry the floor. She knows how to do this herself by observation and imitation.

 

I encouraged her to throw the dirty floor towel down the clothes chute. This is another task she loves!

 

Back to the table for a refreshing drink of water.

 

... and back for more:)

 

This is the wash table located in our kitchen:

 

The table allows the kids to easily access towels and dish cloths for clean-up.

 

On top of the table are the towels and a bowl of soapy water. The bottom shelf holds a pitcher for refilling the wash bowl.

 

My children enjoy helping care for our dog. They scoop and fill the food bowl, but have always had difficulty filling the water bowl. The pitcher on the bottom shelf also offers an opportunity to fill the dog's water bowl on their own.

 

 

Next to our wash table is the children's cupboard. It allows them to get their own utensils, plates, cups, bowls, snacks, etc.

 

 

When my daughter turned two, we adjusted her closet so she could pick out her own clothes. We did this by simply adding a low tension rod in her closet and hanging a mirror on her wall.

When she was only 15 months we placed a low mirror in our bathroom so she could see herself. She is able to see what her face looks like before it needs to be cleaned up, or what her nose looks like when it's runny and needs to be wiped. She can see herself in the mirror when she combs her hair, has an ouchie, etc. etc. etc... I want my children to have the opportunity to experience these things with all of their senses if/when they want to.

 

She has her own drawer in the bathroom. I like to add new things (usually from the dollar store) to make getting ready a little more exciting.

 

The bathroom cupboard holds all of my children's bathroom needs so they are within reach: toothbrushes, cups, washcloths and a bowl for washing up. Hanging on the side of the doors are their morning/night time routines.

 

 

When my son was 2 we added labels to the drawers in his room. We only use those within his reach. The labels allow him to see what's inside each drawer, and help him identify where his clothes belong when we put away laundry.