Specialists share tips on how to help your toddlers become more independent

Netflixrsquos latest push is a 1990 Japanese reality show distributed internationally as Old Enough The show follows toddlers between two and five years running their first errand by themselves with hidden safety and camera crews in tow Yoursquoll catch yourself rooting for the young protagonists as they make their way around their neighbourhoods crossing lanes paying for groceries forgetting and remembering tasks in episodes under 10 minutes For toddlers itrsquos a great way to gain a sense of independence confidence accomplishment and responsibilityAbeer chops vegetables with a toddler knifeItrsquos not uncommon for children to carry out tasks independently outside the house at a young age in Japanese cities considering the culture and planning is conducive to it Anywhere else in the world it will raise a question of safety So how can parents in Mumbai instill such skills and values in their toddlers We speak to four parenting specialists and mommies to share their experiences and tipsTry to model correct behaviourPayal Narang child psychologist and blogger 38 Mumbai Abeer Gandhi 34 yearsLet toddlers participate in household tasks and follow your lead Encourage them without rushing them Donrsquot offer help even if they are taking too long unless they ask Their confidence will grow when you let them experience and perform a task without too much interference You can help by preparing for the activities For example set up a simple water station so they can pour water from a jug for themselves when they get thirsty It might get a bit messy in the beginning but they are quick learnersGo working mumsTripti Bhatia Gandhi founder PR company 33 Mumbai Kayaan Gandhi 25 yearsKayaan GandhiWe introduce Kayaan to various experiences and allow him to observe explore help out in the way he wants to and decide what he likes He makes smoothies and helps to knead atta Wersquove noticed that this makes him feel empoweredAs a working mother itrsquos reassuring to know that my child is confident and has a sense of independence Mum to mum mdash Trust your child your instinct and yourself Both you and your child know whatrsquos best And just because yoursquore a working mom there is no need for you to give in to any kind of guiltTerrific twosYashika Raparia Montessori trainer and parenting influencer 29 Pune Nitya Solanki 2 yearsLittle Nitya Solanki engrossed in a busy activityWe tend to focus on academics and forget that social intelligence is equally important for children They should learn communication skills generosity and kindness Therersquos a term called lsquoTerrible Twosrsquo because their tantrums step up when they turn twoI like to call it lsquoTerrific Twosrsquo because toddlers are at their best stage to learn independence They love to have control over their tasks But when we donrsquot give them time and space to work on skills they throw tantrums To help my daughter become independent and develop life skills I base my parenting on observing her what she chooses to engage with and then incorporate that into an activityTake the culture of Montessori homeMirelle Drego Prabhu 39 and Ayisha Pereira 40 founders Little Butterflies Montessori SchoolLittle Butterflies Montessori SchoolMontessori education caters to the needs of each child rather than an age group It promotes selfmotivated growth across planes of development through the material and prepared environment it offersgtgt The home is where children can safely explore use and master objects they encountergtgt Give them childsized equipment to use on tasksgtgt The aim of a task shouldnrsquot be its purpose but experience They can perfect it over time through repetitiongtgt Keep toys on a rotation basis so they can appreciate one at a time instead of running through toys at a quick pace and wanting to know whatrsquos next