How to Support Your Child’s Growth and Independence (Ages 2–6) A guide for parents

A two-year-old saying “go away!”, a three-year-old insisting “me, myself!”, a five-year-old getting frustrated when we try to help. What do all these moments have in common? A child’s deep need to feel capable.
And to feel that you believe in them.

Independence at ages 2–6 is not a luxury – it’s a fundamental part of development. The way we respond as adults can either support or hinder their sense of competence, agency, and security.

What does a child truly need in order to become independent?

Not control. Not constant supervision. Not praise for every little thing.
But rather:

• space
• clear boundaries
• recognition of their effort
• real, everyday tasks

As Maria Montessori said:
“Every unnecessary help is an obstacle.”

Stages of independence (ages 2–6) – what to expect

Ages 2–3

• strong desire to “do it myself” (though not always successful)
• exploring through climbing, pushing, touching
• responds to rituals: “my spoon,” “my plate,” “my table”

Ages 4–5

• growing precision in movements, eagerness to help
• able to dress themselves, set the table, sort toys
• “pride in competence” emerges – an important developmental emotion

Age 6

• beginning of planning and anticipating
• can take responsibility for chores, daily planning, helping younger siblings
• strong need for fairness and trust

5 Everyday Ways to Foster Independence

1. Make space accessible
   A table, a chair, a step stool, a snack shelf – if a child has to ask for everything, they don’t learn to act on their own.

➡ Møb 9-in-1: a modular piece of furniture that becomes a table, a step stool, and an independence corner. It gives your child a space on their own terms.

2. Offer small choices
   “What would you like on your sandwich?”
   “Which pants do you want to wear today?”
   Small decisions = a big sense of agency.
3. Don’t rush to correct
   If your child sets the table “crookedly,” resist fixing it right away. Supporting the process matters more than achieving a perfect result.
   
4. Involve them in real tasks
   Children don’t need “pretend” chores. Let them:
   • pour their own water
   • wash a vegetable
   • clean up their own space
     
5. Acknowledge the effort, not just the outcome
   Instead of “Great job!”, try:
   “I noticed you poured the water yourself and didn’t spill. That was careful.”
   Or: “It was hard, but you didn’t give up.”

Independence doesn’t mean being left alone

Supporting independence doesn’t mean leaving your child to manage everything by themselves. It means:

• being nearby
• observing patiently
• accepting frustration
• trusting that they can handle it, if you let them

Møb 9-in-1 – a space for independence

Møb 9-in-1 is more than furniture. It’s a space for:

• sitting at the table on their own
• preparing meals alongside a parent
• learning, drawing, and organizing “my place”

Children grow. And they should grow in an environment that doesn’t limit them, but invites them to act.

Final thought: Your attention = their agency

Your child doesn’t need you to do everything for them. They need your trust in their ability.
Every “I can do it myself” is a step toward confidence, competence, and a healthy relationship with the world.

Møb 9-in-1 was created for exactly that – to turn everyday moments into lessons in independence.