Children are capable of so much more than we usually expect.
Independence looks different depending on the age of a child, but every child can show independence. Here are some benchmarks of independence for those in our Upper Elementary program (grades 4-6).
CARE FOR SELF
In an organized environment, children in grades 4-6 can:
- dress and prepare their own breakfast each morning.
- plan and pack their own lunch.
- be responsible for remembering water bottle, homework, take-home folder, and other papers that are due.
- wear weather appropriate clothing, including remembering to wear/bring a jacket for outdoor recess.
- pick up after themselves.
- allot time, and manage until completion, their book of the month report and project.
- accurately complete most of their work- plan most weeks.
CARE FOR ENVIRONMENT
At home and at school, children in grades 4-6 can:
- pick up after themselves (they do it at school).
- clean their rooms and help out daily around the house.
- take out the trash and recycling.
- care for pets.
- put away groceries.
- help wash the car (it transports them everywhere).
- help with yard work.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
At home and at school, children in grades 4-6 can:
- write thank you notes for gifts received.
- exhibit grace and courtesy.
- use Conflict Resolution skills.
- help others problem solve.
- respect authority.
THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE IS NEVER EASY
For children in grades 4-6, it is OK:
- for your child to learn from her mistakes.
- to eat whatever the teacher can find at school for lunch because lunch was forgotten at home or in the car.
- if the laundry is not folded perfectly or in the right place in the closet or drawer.
- if your child feels some frustration at having to figure something out on his own.
- to miss a favorite television show to have time to wind down and read before bed.
- to go to bed early to keep from being too tired to get up on time in the morning.
- to make two trips to move all of her belongings from one place to the next.
- to spill.
- for your child to feel disappointed because he was told “no.”
- for your child to search for something that has been lost.
- for your child to complain about doing homework and using the dictionary.
- if her projects or book reports look like she did it and not her parent.
- to forget his homework (occasionally).
- if your child is more focused on quality of work over the quantity.
- for your child to complain about taking care of his belongings.
- for your child to complain about having to dress appropriately for the weather.
- to not be able to explain all of the work done at school and why.
- if your child does not share details of her day with you.
- to have a limit on screen time during the school week and on weekends and/or not have screen time until homework and chores are done.
- for your child to arrive at school in her pajamas with a comb, toothbrush, and clothes in a bag.
- to be upset with a friend, and work to resolve the issue.
- for you to have different expectations of your child than other parents have of theirs.
