Is independence something that can be taught? How do early years practitioners approach it with the children's parents? Annette Rawstrone spoke to teachers at a Montessori school.

Q: How do you encourage children to be independent?

'We have a prepared environment that allows the children to know where everything is. They do not need constant attention, because they can get things for themselves.'

'The child has the opportunity to do things that appeal to them, which is the start of independence.'

'Independence is something that we model as well. We can't teach anything that the child is not ready to absorb through observation.'

'A few children struggled with their coats and putting them on, so we do activities with coats and buttons so that now they can do it themselves and help their friends.'

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Curriculum Practice Child Development Positive Relationships Personal social and emotional social and emotional development