Early Childhood Autonomy Analysis

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A main component of a happy and fulfilling life is the development of one’s own autonomy. A person’s autonomy provides a sense of control, opportunity for growth, identity formation, individuality, and maximizes learning. It also builds self-esteem, gives a sense of responsibility, and helps in developing problem solving and decision-making skills. Having autonomy allows endless possibilities, as the person has the intrinsic motivation to know what they want, has the freedom to make decisions for themselves, and has the independence to carry out actions on their own. According to Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud, an important task in childhood is to develop autonomy and self-reliance, most famously referred to as the anal stage (Siegler, DeLoache, & Eisenberg, 2010, p. 348). Freud noted that discovering the boundaries of one’s freedom is crucial during this stage, as they need to understand what behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable. In theory, if parents provide a supportive atmosphere that allows their children to achieve self-control without the loss of self-esteem, the children gain a sense of autonomy. ______________ This brings in the question is the development of autonomy is predictive a children’s ability to operate independently and self-reliantly in the classroom setting, where the guidance of a parent is not present. Looking at the association of encouragement of autonomous behaviour in the child and their behaviour in the classroom, both in terms of academic performance and socialization. Literature Review Parents’ Support for Child Autonomy and Early School Achievement The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Early Child Care Research Network (2008), otherwise known as NICHD SECCYD, conducted a study in which the relationship between parent-child relationships and child autonomy was analyzed on three separate occasions: in Grade 1, in Grade 3, and in Grade 5. Unlike previous studies, the study contained a large sample, had independent measurement, and longitudinal data. The researchers …show more content…
895). In early childhood specifically, the interaction between parent and child helps determine how the child learns to navigate their environment competently and independently. It is most effective when the parent is warm, available for assistance when needed, and supportive.

Parents’ Support and Links to Children’s Socioemotional Orientation and Peer Relationships Clark & Ladd (2000) conducted a similar studied analyzing the relationship between children and their parents to their social skills in the classroom. It was found that children with strong parent-child relationships were more social, had more friendships, and got along better with peers compared to _______________. It is important for parents to be responsive to child’s opinions, feelings, and perspectives.

Discussion & Future
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Practical Applications

As children get older, they gain more autonomy and select more aspects of their environment that fit their temperament and abilities. Adolescents are more likely to explore identity options if they have at least one parent who encourages in them both a sense of connection with the parent and a striving for autonomy and individuality (textbook, 445). Children gain more autonomy as they get older, and eventually become adolescents. It is in adolescence that they have more control of their choice of environment, and whom they associate with. Social scaffolding is a process in which competent people provide a temporary framework that supports children’s thinking at a higher level than children could manage on their own, p. 161 textbook).
Independence and choices
• Autonomy: self-rule and is applied to actions that are initiated and regulated by the self; it is thus highly related to the notion of intrinsic

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