At What Age Should Children Start Gaining Independence?
Children begin to show signs of wanting to do things independently as early as infancy. For example: - Infants (0-1 year): May show a desire to feed themselves with their fingers or hold a bottle. - Toddlers (1-3 years): Often want to dress themselves, use the toilet, or explore their environment. - Preschoolers (3-5 years): Begin to take on more complex tasks such as dressing completely on their own, brushing teeth, and helping with household chores. - School-age Children (6-12 years): Can handle homework, manage personal hygiene, and participate in extracurricular activities. - Adolescents (13-18 years): Seek more significant independence, such as driving, managing money, and making long-term academic and career decisions.
