How can confidence in one's own decision-making capacity be fostered?

To foster confidence in children's own decision-making abilities, it is important to provide them with a safe and stimulating environment that allows them to explore, experiment and learn autonomously. In this sense, it is essential that parents and caregivers encourage independence in all areas of a child's life, from feeding to personal hygiene and household chores, so that the child has the opportunity to make decisions and assume responsibilities according to his or her level of maturity and development.

Encouraging autonomy from an early age

From an early age, it is important to encourage the child's autonomy in decision making. Parents can begin by giving the child limited options from which to select, so that he or she has the opportunity to choose and experiment with different options, without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.

For example, when choosing the clothes the child will wear, parents can offer two different options and let the child choose the one he or she prefers. This helps children develop decision-making skills and builds their self-confidence.

Provide information and support

To make informed decisions, children need access to relevant and accurate information. Parents can provide information and support to help children make decisions, but it is important not to make decisions for them. Instead of telling the child what to do, parents can provide information about the options available, advantages and disadvantages of each option.

For example, if the child is deciding what extracurricular activity to do, parents can provide information about the different options and the benefits and drawbacks of each. In doing so, they are helping the child make an informed decision and increasing his or her confidence in his or her ability to do so.

Allow the child to experiment with low-risk decisions.

To increase the child's confidence in his or her ability to make decisions, it is important to allow the child to experiment with low-risk decisions. These decisions can be small, such as choosing the clo