Every Parent Should Watch These Independent Toddlers Run Errands in Old Enough
This month, Netflix released your new favorite show: Old Enough , a documentary imported from Japan with a simple and perfect premise: in each episode, an individual child is given a task to complete alone, and we see how (and if) it is completed. Watching toddlers navigate something complex for the first time in their little lives is dramatic and touching, but it also gives parents some real lessons on how to raise self-reliant kids.
Children can often do much more than we let them.
Obviously, there is no set age when a child is old enough to go out in public alone, but according to this survey, most parents say they are around 10 years old. However, according to Old Enough , the actual age of basic competence in children may be much lower. .
The first episode is typical of the series. It tells the story of a boy, two years and eight months old, who is tasked with walking to a grocery store a kilometer from his house, buying curry, meat, and flowers, and returning safely (a task I would fail about half the time). ). Despite the fact that he is not yet three years old, the child fulfills the task with honor.
What if the kids get scared?
If you’re a parent, I bet you can relate to the Old Enough segments of parents helping kids who are reluctant and afraid. Just like in real life, TV kids sometimes say outright, “I can’t do this.” Most ” old enough ” parents respond by acknowledging their child’s fear, comforting them but still encouraging them to do so anyway—a strategy in line with the advice of child psychologists .
After their kids go on their own, many parents report that they are afraid their child will fail, but they let their kids be independent anyway, and I’m sure every parent reading this can relate to this fight.
You can also set up independence and security tasks.
Old Enough cares about the safety of the kids – most of the “strangers” they pass by are actually crew members in disguise, and every move is watched by people with multiple cameras. But kids don’t know they’re being pampered, and I think that’s important.
You probably can’t afford to hire a small town to protect your kid when he’s running errands, but you can casually send your little one to a neighbor’s house to borrow some eggs and not tell them you’ll be watching them. from their kitchen window, ready to pounce immediately at the first sign of danger.
Don’t be afraid to take things seriously
Along with the illusion of danger, Old Enough gives children the illusion of seriousness. They are told that they have an assignment and that they should try their best to get it done right because it is important. It is not presented to children as play or play time. It’s not just good TV, it’s good education. You must teach your children from a very early age that not everything is a game and that they are capable of doing what matters. Research shows that the parents of the most successful children have high expectations for them . Luckily, what your expectations are is up to you. It doesn’t have to be playing the violin at the highest level: for example, I expected my son to be a witty and interesting guest at a cocktail party.
Encourage your child to talk to himself
Old Enough sings along to his child stars, and listening to them talk to themselves as they go through the steps of unfamiliar tasks is delightful and exciting. They clearly define problems, think through solutions, and motivate themselves in a very mature way. Toddlers call this kind of self-talk “verbal meditation,” and that’s a very good thing. According to research, preschoolers who say things themselves do better than those who don’t .