Do you have an independent toddler?
One who suddenly insists on doing everything for themself?
Who is not easily deterred from accomplishing a goal?
Consider yourself lucky.
As newborns emerge into toddlerhood, a whole new world opens to them. Once fully dependent on you, they’ve watched and listened for a year or more and are ready to begin putting their learning into practice.
This can be a jarring transition for parents - and one that requires vigilant supervision - but is also a milestone to be proud of.
And that persistence, which can frustrate both parent and child during this stage (especially when their desire to go it alone may outstrip their actual ability to do so), is a skill that will serve them well for life.
So nurture it. Be ready to transition to advisor and safety net.
Nothing, apparently, is going to deter this little guy - posted to IG by sweetmountaintop - from his appointed rounds.
Love the persistence and independence on display. (Just do make sure he washes his hands…)
Years ago, one of my children in primary 1 came home rejoicing. He scored 100% in a particular test. He proudly announced that he had failed only one question so the subject teacher called him aside privately, told him the correct answer and upgraded his score.
I was livid!
I immediately told him he didn't score 100% and that what matters to me is whether he can use the knowledge from the subject later in life.
After that I called the school and the teacher was called to order. Fortunately, it was a new hire who was let go of months later
For some other reason I have no idea about.
It reinforced 2 things.
1. We don't expect grades you did not work for.
2. The teachers realised that I have my eyes on the ball.
Another incident was at a training in church also years back. The instructor jokingly set a quiz.
The lady beside me started asking me to tell her the answers. I was so embarrassed, I couldn't even utter a word.
There was no reward and no consequence for failing or passing this assessment. He just wanted to know whether we were paying attention.
But guess what?
Old habits
Die hard.
It took a power outage for me to change my seat and escape her bc I didn't want to hurt her feelings by telling her how absurd her request was. She kept giving me an evil look all day but all I felt for her was pity.
A 3rd story is one my dad told me about
When he did his NYSC in Northern Nigeria. Another Corp member was sent to a secondary school to teach. The principal asked him for his WAEC result and saw that he had As in Math, English, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
"Thank God!" He shouted. "We've been looking for someone
To teach the children Math. Would you prefer the junior or senior class?"
The guy said he didn't want to teach Math.
"What of Biology?" the principal asked. "You know it is compulsory."
He said no.
"So what do you want to teach?"
Him: Geography.
Guess his score in Geography?