Types of autonomy

Child autonomy is an important aspect of children's development, as it enables them to develop skills and competencies necessary for their adult life, increases their self-esteem and improves their self-confidence. In this sense, it is important for parents to encourage child autonomy in all areas of the child's life, including dressing, feeding, personal hygiene and household chores.

We must keep in mind that each child is different and may have different levels of development and abilities. Therefore, there is no specific age to start encouraging autonomy in children. However, there are certain skills and behaviors that parents can observe to determine if the child is ready to become more independent.

The first step in fostering autonomy in children is to understand that autonomy is not just about the child doing things on his or her own, but about the child being able to make decisions and solve problems on his or her own. This means that child autonomy is not just about the physical act of dressing or eating alone, but also about the child's ability to think for himself and make decisions for himself.

The right time

The right time to start encouraging autonomy in children will depend on several factors, such as the child's maturity, ability to perform specific tasks, and level of interest and motivation. In general, children can begin to develop autonomy skills as early as 18 months of age.

By 18 months, children are usually able to perform simple tasks, such as picking up toys and helping to dress themselves. As the child gets older, he or she may begin to learn more complex skills, such as brushing teeth, preparing simple foods, and doing household chores.

Pace of development

It is important to keep in mind that the development of autonomy in children is not a linear process and that each child has his or her own pace of development. Some children may begin to show interest and motivation to become more independent at an early age, while others may need more time and support to develop these skills.

In general, parents can begin to foster autonomy in children by providing opportunities for the child to make decisions and take responsibility. For example, parents can allow the child to choose his or her own clothes or decide what to eat for dinner. They can also give the child the opportunity to help with simple household chores, such as setting the table or folding laundry.

Autonomy through play

Another way to encourage autonomy in children is through play. Parents can provide toys and materials that allow the child to practice autonomy skills, such as dressing or preparing food. Role playing is also an excellent way to teach children about decision making and problem solving.

It is important to remember that encouraging autonomy in children does not mean leaving them completely on their own to tackle difficult tasks; parents should be there to guide them through the process. In this sense, autonomy in household chores can be encouraged by teaching children to make their beds, pick up th