Mental Health in Primary Schools

Building Independence at Home

One of the best ways we can support our children’s wellbeing and development is by helping them become independent and responsible for age-appropriate tasks. While it can sometimes be quicker or easier to do things for our children, allowing them to have a go helps build confidence, problem-solving skills and a sense of responsibility. Independence will look different at every age. 

For our Foundation students, this might mean getting dressed with some help, putting their shoes and belongings away or packing their reader. 

Grade 1/2 students might be able to start helping prepare their snack or brainfood (fruit snack) - putting the apple into the lunchbox, starting to tie their shoelaces etc. As students move through the school, we can gradually increase their responsibilities. 

Grade 3/4 students might be responsible for getting dressed independently, packing their school bag, remembering their homework and helping to prepare parts of their lunch.

For our Grade 5/6 students, we encourage families to give children greater ownership of their routines and responsibilities. This could include making their own lunch, completing homework and reading (without constant reminders), packing their school bag the night before, organising their uniform and belongings, preparing what they need for the next day and keeping their room or personal spaces tidy. 

The goal is not for children to get everything right straight away (and modelling good behaviours is important), but to give them opportunities to practise, make mistakes and learn from them. As adults, we can provide guidance and support without taking over. By gradually stepping back and allowing children to take responsibility, we are helping them develop the skills they need to become capable, confident and independent young people.