How to respect the individuality of children

The individuality of the human being consists in recognizing their originality, particularity and peculiarity. Recognize and respect the individuality in our children is one of the main tasks in education, lies in assess the preferences of children, believe in their possibilities and rely on their a

The individuality of the human being consists in recognizing their originality, particularity and peculiarity. Recognize and respect the individuality in our children is one of the main tasks in education, lies in assess the preferences of children, believe in their possibilities and rely on their ability to improve skills that will make them competent in society.

María Montessori (1870-1852), educator and defender of the rights of the child, was one of the pioneers in betting on teaching based on respect for the individuality of the child. It postulated that the child learns through the activity and the educator must offer a safe, comfortable and good environment that promotes autonomy, initiative, capacity for decision making, the development of will and effort, and respect for others and by itself.

How parents can respect the individuality of children

The role of parents is to teach their children how things are done, trust in their abilities and in their particular way of doing them, supervising that progressively they are reaching new challenges, small objectives. The parents guide the child, correct him / her with respect and encourage him / her in the achievement of new goals; thus, the child is going through stages by himself, with the support of the adult who transmits security and tranquility in the process. Which actions of the parents do not help the child's individuality

When the parents, instead of directing the process, tend to solve the tasks to their children, pretend to make them perfect inter or intervene in their decision making

, the The child does not learn to make mistakes and does not develop the ability to overcome to face problematic situations in the future. If we are always in a hurry, we demand that they follow our rhythm and we pretend that they do things as we would do ... we will end up solving them ourselves or recriminating their actions. If we do not teach them to make decisions for themselves to self-observe and get to know their own interests, they will end up needing reference people to decide for them. If we do not reinforce them when they achieve small achievements or we scold them when they make mistakes ... we will be damaging their own self-concept and assessment of their possibilities. If we do not show them the importance of effort, patience and tolerance for their own frustrations, we will educate children who are dissatisfied and unable to appreciate the positive aspects of things. Claves 5 keys to respect and promote the individuality of our children1- When the child is wrong

that he is the reason why he has been able to do it wrong

, what options have to improve it and choose the one that he considers most appropriate.

2- That be able to spend time alone, leisure time and obligations, learn to enjoy their isolation at certain times, is the only scenario in which we learn to know each other.

3- Promote their autonomy, progressively our children have to learn to satisfy for themselves their own needs, it is the only way to feel safe and trust in their own abilities.

4- Increase moments of creativity, ingenuity and spontaneity. Children learn to develop their own interests in more open contexts, in which they can experience different, personal and unique ways of doing things.

5- Reward the effort. The assessment of your effort in the early stages will be extrinsic, if we teach you to value the effort we will achieve that you will be motivated to reach your own goals.

In education it is necessary to ensure that the se child adapts to cultural norms socially established butrespecting their individuality so that they can trust in their own capacities and be satisfied

with your achievements.Lucía Boto Pérez Psychologist Álava Reyes Psychology Center