Two strategies which the setting may use to empower children to develop independence and self reliance?

Question

Two strategies which the setting may use to empower children to develop independence and self reliance?

Answer 1

at my sons pre-school they don't have a set snack time, jugs of milk and water are always available on a table with cups, and there is a selection of chopped fruit, breadsticks, cheese etc which the children can help themselves to.

It is designed so that children get a drink or snack when or if they want one. Gives them independence and also gets them to be self reliant.

Sorry can't think of anything else.

Answer 2

Open ended projects and allowing the children to be self sufficient in getting their own art supplies etc. and putting them away when finished. Showing them how to put on their coats, zip them and hang them up, then allow them to do it on their own. Many text books on early childhood education have several examples of this too.

Answer 3

One thing that comes to my mind is a positive reinforcement system tied into the setting.  When my son was potty training, the preschool had the sticker charts near the bathroom.  The bathroom (setting) was a system of earning mini-stickers if you at least try to go, and then a larger sticker if you actually went potty.  Since all kids potty train differently, the teacher was able to adjust the setting to meet the needs of each kid.  For example, there is a girl in my son's class who is still in pull-ups and is afraid of the bathroom.  She can still earn a sticker if she attempts to go inside the bathroom.  It positively reinforces the setting.