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(Unit 8) Topic 1: The Whole Child 

4 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

Preschool Independence

​Topic 1 Page 16

Preschoolers are increasing in their abilities both large and small. Language blossoms into sentences, questions, answers, and play. Fine and gross motor skills develop into organized play, controlled movements, and greater curiosity. Intellectual development evolves into complicated questions, thought filled answers, and self-expression. With these developing abilities children are becoming more and more independent and will crave opportunities to try things themselves and to work through their challenges. 

Early childhood educators should be mindful of a preschooler’s level of desired independence and health and safety standards. Though preschool children may wish to do many things independently, you will likely encounter situations where there may be unreasonable risks or hazards. It is important to set children up for success with careful planning and considerations to ensure their access to items to support independence and to keep them safe. 

​Some suggestions:

Practice!
​Practice and repetition help preschoolers to develop independence and further their budding skills.

Guide!
Even when children are completing tasks independently, observe and guide them when necessary.

Plan!
Plan for independence by including accessible elements. Step stools, shortened shelves and countertops, low hanging hooks, and easily accessible materials will support the preschooler’s independence in safe ways.

Give them space!
There is some inherent risk in many independent tasks that preschoolers will complete. At recess there will be some greater risks, but if your program is set up appropriately you should be able to give each child a comfortable amount of space to explore.

Allow extra time!
Preschoolers should be encouraged to do many thing independently and this will mean that small tasks may take twice as long to complete. If Jude is putting his own jacket on before recess, allow him an extra minute or two to do this.

Encourage!
Last, but not least, support independence by encouraging children to try things on their own and praise them with positive words for a job well done!

(Unit 8) Topic 1: The Whole Child ​ * Navigation Menu