Increasing Independence

with Rebeca Walsh & Belann Giarretto - Recorded 12/24

In this episode, the discussion centers around empowering parents to foster independence in children aged 18 months to 5 years. The meeting emphasizes the evolving role of parents in nurturing children's imagination and self-entertainment skills, illustrated by encouraging independent play during daily activities like cooking. It highlights the importance of managing parental guilt related to children's boredom, which can be pivotal for developing creativity and emotional resilience. The concept of "floor time" is introduced as a valuable approach, where parents dedicate ten minutes of focused, undirected playtime with their children, enhancing their confidence and encouraging autonomy. Listeners are reassured to expect initial resistance when implementing new strategies and are encouraged to model self-care and prepare children for transitions. The session concludes with a call to action, inviting listeners to share their experiences, submit questions for future Q&A sessions, and try the strategies discussed.