As your baby develops into a toddler, your little explorer not only grows physically but also learns something new every day and becomes increasingly independent. You might view this development with mixed feelings: on the one hand, you wonder what has become of the little baby you just held in your arms. On the other hand, you are proud of how independent your darling has already become. In this article, you will learn why becoming independent is such an important developmental step for your child and how you can gently support it without applying pressure.

How does the development towards independence in young children progress?

By this stage, there is no doubt that your little baby, who was once completely dependent on your help, is gradually turning into a toddler who wants to explore the world. Especially walking and talking offer your little explorer completely new opportunities for independence. Suddenly, your child can express what they want and what they really don't like. When it comes to mobility, they are no longer dependent on others, but move forward on their own two feet.

In the second year of life, toddlers then experience the autonomy phase, also known as the defiance phase. Your child is increasingly discovering their individuality and their own will, and will assert it (sometimes loudly). Even if your child's defiance phase certainly presents you with one or two challenges, it is extremely important for the development of their independence. Your little one learns to make their own decisions and that these decisions have certain consequences.

From the age of 18 months, you will notice more and more developmental progress in your child. Of course, they still need a lot of help, but they are now, for example, increasingly learning to eat independently, to wash their hands, and brush their teeth. But not only your little explorer's individual developmental level, but also their social environment and self-confidence influence how independent your toddler already is. By the way, you don't need to worry if they still require or demand a lot of support: especially up to the third year of life, developmental differences between children can still be very large and do not indicate their intelligence or future abilities.

8 Tips on how to support your toddler in becoming independent

Becoming independent is part of experiential learning. This means it cannot be taught, but must be gradually experienced and developed by your child. Nevertheless, as a parent, you can do quite a bit to support this process. The prerequisite for gradually becoming independent is basic trust—feeling loved, regardless of success or failure. You can strengthen this trust and your child's belief in their own abilities. We have compiled some tips to help your child become confident and independent from a young age.

1. Encourage your child

This tip will certainly not be difficult for you, because you are already incredibly proud of your little explorer. Let them feel that and cheer them on enthusiastically in all their efforts. It is important that your child realizes you support them not only when they succeed, but always when they try something new.

2. Provide opportunities for independent learning

To learn something new, one thing is especially important: plenty of practice. Therefore, give your child the opportunity to make decisions on their own and solve problems independently. If you notice they might struggle with something and could use a little nudge, you can first guide your child verbally through the solution and then offer practical help. This way, you avoid stepping in too quickly with tasks they could solve on their own with some practice. Still, of course, you should always keep an eye on your little explorer and set boundaries when things become dangerous. Also, explain why some things are better handled by adults.

3. Allocate time for trying out

Even if it can sometimes throw the schedule into disarray, give your child—whenever possible—the time they need to try new things. So if they decide that today is the day they put on their shoes by themselves, be patient. When they can try new things independently without you intervening too quickly, it shows your child that you trust their abilities. And let's be honest: with a toddler, it's usually best to plan a bit more time from the start anyway.

4. Convey the right attitude

Show your child that setbacks are also part of the learning process. Calmly demonstrate that even difficult tasks do not always succeed on the first attempt for you, either. When you face new challenges with patience and perseverance—and encourage and support your little one with new tasks—it helps them develop their own frustration tolerance while learning.

5. Use small tools

The first time alone, or spending an entire afternoon playing with a new friend: becoming independent sometimes requires a big dose of courage. A small lucky charm or a favorite stuffed animal can support your child in unfamiliar situations and help them overcome their fear.

6. The right equipment

The right equipment is sometimes half the battle. With shatterproof dishes and special cutlery for learning to eat, your toddler can start making their first independent attempts at eating early on. Clothing with as few fasteners as possible, and T-shirts with a wide neckline that easily fits over the head, help with independent dressing. A large, washable mat for painting ensures you don't have to worry about whether the dining table will be affected by your little explorer's artistic skills, allowing them to experiment freely.

7. Actively involve your child

Even if some tasks are better handled by Mom or Dad, you can ask your child for help and involve them actively from an early stage. In the household, your child can take on small tasks and, for example, help set the table. You can also promote their independence during diaper changes: ask your child, for instance, to actively lift their leg when needed or to hand you the wet wipes or cream. For active toddlers who don't like lying still on the changing table and prefer to do the diaper change themselves, the are especially practical. They are very easy to pull up and down, so diaper changes can be done quickly, even while standing up.

8. Promote free play and creativity

As your child gets older, they will spend more and more time alone or playing with peers. During independent play, children are in charge: they explore their talents, solve problems on their own, and resolve conflicts without adult intervention. Not only is this fun, but it also boosts your child's self-esteem and independence. So, give them regular opportunities to enjoy free play, where they can express their creativity.

Even though the first time with a baby is something very special and you will surely enjoy reminiscing about it, there is probably nothing more exciting than watching your own child and supporting them as they develop into an independent personality. And don't worry: it will still be a while before your little explorer moves out to forge their own path.