Fostering Independence

The gift that keeps on giving

We are proud of all the wonderful growth the children have made this year. One of our greatest overarching goals for all children is to help them to gain a strong sense of self and self-esteem by developing independence. 

AT SCHOOL
Next school year will bring many new experiences and opportunities to build independence, one of the most critical skills for long-term success. At school, children carry and care for all of their belongings. They have classroom jobs and responsibilities. Our learning centers are designed to help children make their own choices, finish what they start, and begin learning to problem-solve. Children learn what to expect and follow through with what is expected of them.

AT HOME
Top 8 Strategies to Foster Independence

1. Time - By age two, children can accomplish far more than we think; they just need a little more time. Allow for a few extra minutes for your child to put on their shoes, gather their belongings, and walk on their own (where safe). 

2. Predictable routines - Help children learn to anticipate what comes next and start to take on more responsibility with less help. Bedtime routines, dinner set up, or clean up. 

3. Choices - Giving your child a choice from 2 (or max. 3) options helps to develop a sense of agency. We like to say: “Can you do it yourself or do you need help?” Children love to show how they have grown and show off those skills.
   HINT: When children resist transitioning to a non-preferred activity, try offering two acceptable choices (e.g. Do you want to hold my hand or walk on your own; Would you rather put the blocks away first or the cars?)

4. Let your child help - Finding developmentally appropriate ways for your child to help fosters their confidence and puts them one step closer to independence.

5. Chores - There is a lot of research showing that developmentally appropriate chores for children help build their self-esteem, responsibility, and executive functions. Check out the chart on the right for some chores your child could do now. 

6. Embrace mistakes - Children learn more from their mistakes than their successes. This article mentions some great tips for what to say and do when your child makes a mistake or a not-so-great choice. 

7. Allow your child to solve problems - Give your child tasks with some difficulty but that they will be able to solve with little support. This helps children learn to deal with frustration, solve problems, and work through challenging situations. 

8. Acknowledgment - Remember to acknowledge the effort rather than the outcome. Children thrive when they know you see their effort, persistence, bravery, and their growth. Verbal feedback gives positive attention to qualities you want to foster in your child.

Hello Barnyard Friends:

If you want proof that spring is finally here, look no further than Our Barnyard. Our first graders are just about to harvest the grass and herbs we planted for the animals. On top of that, our preschool friends found a bird's nest being built in the rafters of our outdoor classroom. Mr. Matthew had no idea it was even there! There are no eggs yet, but soon we will probably be hearing the chirp chirp of baby birds (stay tuned)!

ELEMENTARY
It’s the last month of the year and classes are coming to an end. Now we take everything we have learned in our elementary barnyard classes this year and put it to use.

• Husbandry - Classes are utilizing everything we have learned this year to officially care for the animals, from the different substrates we use with different animals to scatology (cleaning and inspecting their poop). 
• Ecology - We are investigating just how scientists discover and classify new species.
  • HINT: Animal species each get a scientific name, and an ethogram is created so anyone in the world can recognize that species of animal/plant.
• Genetics & Evolution - We will be creating ethograms for each student's creature at the end of our year-long evolution simulation. This includes naming each of our new species, something our students get really excited about.

PRESCHOOL
Our preschool classes have been learning about the different ways animal mommies take care of their offspring. We started with mammal mommies and how they use a great deal of their time and energy caring for their young and protecting them against predators. Reptile mommies are quite different, often laying their eggs in a well-hidden place, then leaving them to their own devices. If their young don't survive, they lay more eggs in the hope that the new ones do. Next, we will compare and contrast bird mommies with reptiles and mammals. We will close out the year by reviewing topics and vocabulary from the year by way of a special barnyard obstacle course.

From all the animals in Our Barnyard, we hope you stay cool this summer, and don't forget to have lots of fun!