5ways to guide the child to independent thinking
Parents want to raise children who are able to make their own decisions and who can solve their own problems. It's not a skill that starts in elementary school or middle school, teaching children to think for themselves starts much earlier.
Learn with us about five small ways to help your children think and analyze on their own.
1-Be a spectator
If your baby is having any trouble sorting out colors or shapes, instinct often pushes us to step in and drop it into its appropriate slot. However, teaching them problem-solving skills is more important than helping them solve them. Teaching kids independence starts in early childhood, and parents just have to guide them. If parents can watch from afar and allow their children to solve problems, even when they are children, it will help them to have an independent personality. Parents should verbally guide their children, allowing them to figure out solutions.
2-Set an example
You can step in and speak up by expressing your opinion or way of solving your own problem and decision to help your young children understand why you do things a certain way. This does not mean that you force your children to think the same way you do. It just means that you allow them to see and understand your way of making an independent decision. If your child comes up with an alternative solution, it's important to validate his thoughts and feelings, even if his little imagination has come up with an odd solution. This is how creative thinkers are born.
3-Listen before you speak
Actually listen to your child instead of imposing your decisions on them, especially as children get older. Teaching children to think for themselves means that parents must gradually distance themselves until children gain valuable confidence and experience in making self-directed decisions. Support your child's need to build a sense of independence by offering advice only after hearing what he has to say. It's your job not to solve all of your child's problems but to give them the confidence and skills to solve their own.” Listening before speaking is key when it comes to boosting their confidence by allowing them to grow as independent thinkers.
4-Be defiant
Challenging children to make decisions on their own can be a valuable lesson in independence. For older children, encourage them to use self-talk or writing to help guide their decisions. Show them the assumptions and challenge them to come up with a solution. Ask them why they make certain decisions during everyday conversation. This can help facilitate their ability and desire to think for themselves.
5-Remind them that the error is acceptable
It's important to help children feel that even if their thought process doesn't lead to decisions or actions that don't work every time, it's all about learning to make better, more informed decisions next time. It is normal to make mistakes and learning from them is the most important thing. Help both young children and teens understand and stick to their decisions, and talk to them about what went wrong, rather than just trying to fix things.
Stepping back and letting your kids think for themselves can be difficult for parents. But when you allow children, starting from an early age, the space to make mistakes and gain confidence in their decision-making skills, it can boost their confidence and encourage independent thinking.
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