Ages 4 to 6: Pathways to Resilience

How much can a child between four and six really do for themselves? In this focused mini episode from Part One of Milestones to Resilience, hosts Milly Albers and Dr Terence Sheppard explore why age-appropriate independence, autonomy and personal responsibility are important building blocks of resilience. Milly shares the story of her four-year-old son George starting kindergarten with confidence, making a new friend and adapting when his best friend was not there. From this real-life example, Milly and Terence discuss everyday milestones including greeting adults, managing basic self-care, helping with household chores, ordering for themselves, beginning to understand money and safely completing familiar tasks with trusted older children. They also explain why milestones should be treated as a guide rather than a test. Children develop at different rates, but parents can support their progress by practising skills together, recognising what they are ready for and stepping back when the moment is right. When children receive safe opportunities to try, solve problems and take responsibility, they can begin developing the confidence and character they need to thrive. This discussion draws on the principles in Positive Parenting: A Guide to Raising Psychologically Healthy Children by Dr Terence Sheppard and Dr Margaret Kummerow. Explore Milestones to Maturity at https://www.positiveparenting.au/milestones-to-maturity. Visit https://www.positiveparenting.au and follow @positiveparenting.au for more practical positive parenting guidance. Subscribe, share and join the growing movement of positive parenting.