28/07/2026
DID YOU KNOW?
Independence is a pre-academic skill.
When we think about preparing a young child for preschool, we often think about colors, numbers, letters, or shapes.
But school readiness starts long before academics.
Every time your child tries to put on their shoes, cleans up their toys, carries their cup to the table, chooses between two options, or attempts a task before an adult steps in, they are practicing something incredibly important:
❤️ “I can try.”
A child who can try, wait, make choices, tolerate small frustrations, follow routines, solve simple problems, and ask for help when needed is developing the foundation for learning.
Research on executive function shows that skills such as self-control, attention, flexible thinking, and working memory are fundamental to learning and school achievement (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, 2011; Yogman et al., 2018).
The American Academy of Pediatrics also emphasizes that child-led experiences help children develop agency, self-regulation, executive functioning, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills that contribute to school readiness.
❤️ A reminder for parents:
Independence does not mean expecting children to do everything alone.
It means giving them time to try, support when they need it, and opportunities to discover what they can do.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is resist the urge to immediately say:
“Here, let me do it.”
Instead, try:
“You try first. I’m here if you need help.”
Small moments of independence today build confident, capable learners tomorrow.
For more information:
- https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resource-guides/guide-executive-function/
- https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/3/e20182058/38649/The-Power-of-Play-A-Pediatric-Role-in-Enhancing?autologincheck=redirected.
