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Journalism of Courage
You need to be hands-on and guide kids through their activities, especially when they are too young. But often parents end up doing a lot of hand-holding, leaving no space for the child to learn things on their own.
Many moms on social media are now sharing a poem credited to Dejah Roman of Norwalk, Iowa, titled “Diary of a 2-year-old” that talks about how toddlers are restricted in many ways.
Narrating from the perspective of a toddler, the poem reads as follows:
“Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”
This made me sad.
I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told, “No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”
This made me feel frustrated…”
The poem continues, “I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move…I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.”
“Our toddlers have no choice and no voice. We just shift them around. If there was an adult [who] touched me without asking, talking while I was crying…I would get upset too,” Roman was quoted as saying in an interview.
Independent learning skills can increase brain stimulation. It helps kids develop an inquisitive mind and at the same time, makes them more confident. Too much dependence on parents can end up impacting a child’s individuality and decision-making abilities.
A parent’s responsibility revolves around providing opportunities for their child, and the means and support to achieve something. One should therefore try to strike a balance between dependency and allowing them to function independently.
One of the ways to begin this practice is by assessing the activities that your toddler can manage on his or her own like brushing the hair and teeth or wearing clothes and encourage them to do it. And all throughout the process, you need to be patient with your child.
Your child needs to be able to take charge of his or her life, with parental supervision, of course. Show them unconditional support and respect as you guide them, allow them to identify and express their emotions and grow up to be self-sufficient beings.
Read the full poem here:
