“I Can Do It Myself!”: Autonomy In Preschoolers
- Tanya Barsano
- Dec 28, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Takeaway
Autonomy means your child is learning to do things by themselves, not perfectly, but proudly. It’s the building block of confidence.
What It Really Means
Autonomy is your child’s growing ability to act independently.
Think: pouring their own milk, choosing their shirt, or saying “I can do it!” It’s not about control, it’s about letting them practice control in safe, age-appropriate ways.
When we give children small chances to take charge, they learn that their actions matter. That’s what turns “I can’t” into “I’ll try.”
Why It Matters
Children who develop autonomy:
Build self-confidence through real experiences
Learn responsibility and cause-and-effect
Feel trusted and capable
Become better problem-solvers
When you pause and let your child zip their own coat or clean up a spill, you’re quietly saying, “I believe in you.”
Simple Ways to Encourage It
Offer real choices: “Blue cup or green cup?”
Give time to try (even if it’s slower or messier)
Use routines they can follow on their own
Say “You did that yourself!” instead of fixing or redoing it
These small freedoms help kids feel proud, capable, and ready to take on new challenges, one zipper, one spill, one success at a time.
If you’d like to read more:
Written by Tanya Barsano, M.S.Ed., early childhood educator and creator of Diary of a Preschool Teacher.
Contact: Tanya@diaryofapreschoolteacher.com
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