Thank you, Dr. Skinner.
Okay, we have another question coming in.
So what's the best way to teach independence with my seven and eight-year-olds?
You know, as a mom, I can't help but just do things for them.
Step by step, small step by step is probably the best answer, right?
So, an 8-year-old — there’s a lot of things that they still can't do, and it's gonna take a little bit more time. But doing something with them — what we call modeling.
So what we do is we model a behavior and then we have them practice to the point where they can do it themselves. Whether that's tying their shoes, or getting dressed, or whatever it may be that is going to help them develop a skill — learning to ride a bike, right?
So whatever it is, it's always going to be easier to just do it yourself because you know how. But modeling and then having them practice is a way for them to see that it can be done — and then you have them practice.
I’ll give you a simple example of that. A few years ago, I coached my daughter's basketball teams, and I loved to teach them how to do a layup. So what I do is teach them the basics and you teach them a very simple step process.
If you're doing a right-handed layup, you go right step, left step, and then up.
So I would take the ball away and say, "Okay, what I'd like you to do is take a right step, a left step, and then up like this."
And we would do that over and over and over until they could get it.
Similar thing with other things that you're trying to teach them — something that’s helping around the house, whether it's cleaning up the room.
Initially, they're going to need an example. They're going to need you to help model for them how to do that.
As they get a little bit older — doing the dishes, similar things. You sit there by their side and you show them the proper way or the way that you prefer it to be done.
And what's happening is they’re learning from you, and they begin to see it in action.
And that's a really effective way to do it — something that I would recommend.
