A key aspect of child development is growing independence. Encourage their “I do it myself!” impulse, as it builds self-esteem and resilience. Here's how:

Establish Simple Routines: A consistent morning routine helps them take charge of small tasks.
Offer Choices: Letting them make little choices (“Do you want apple or banana slices?”) feeds their sense of autonomy.
Teach Self-Help Skills: Encourage age-appropriate tasks like putting toys in a bin. Praise their efforts, not perfection.
Be Patient with Mistakes: Fostering independence means allowing kids to try and sometimes fail. Calmly help clean up spills and say, “It’s okay, you’ll get better with practice!”
Positive Acknowledgment: When your child manages a new skill, acknowledge it specifically: “Wow, you put your toys back all by yourself – great helping!”