When a child forgets their lunch, parents often want to help right away.
当孩子忘记带午餐时,父母常常想马上帮忙。
When a child cannot solve a math problem, they also want to help right away.
当孩子解不出数学题时,他们也想马上帮忙。
But experts say children need to solve everyday problems by themselves.
但是,发育专家和教育工作者说,孩子需要自己解决每天的问题。
Solving problems is a skill. You must practice it.
因为解决问题是一种技能,必须练习。
The hard part is knowing when to help and when to step back.
难的是知道什么时候帮忙,什么时候退后。
Dr. Dana Suskind is from the University of Chicago. She says the most important thing parents can give kids is not answers.
芝加哥大学的达纳·苏斯金德博士说,父母能给孩子最重要的东西不是答案。
She says the most important thing is kids figuring things out themselves.
她说,最重要的是孩子自己弄明白的经历。
She says if parents help right away, kids have no chance to practice.
她说,父母马上帮忙,孩子就没有练习的机会。
Dr. Stephanie Carlson is from the University of Minnesota. She says if kids rarely need to try hard, they may have serious anxiety later.
明尼苏达大学的斯蒂芬妮·卡尔森博士说,如果孩子很少需要努力,以后可能会有严重的焦虑。
Experts say that if the risk is low, parents can slow down.
专家建议,如果风险低,父母可以慢一点。
Parents can talk about the problem with their child.
父母可以和孩子讨论问题。
For example, ask "What do you think?" or ask "How can you solve it?"
比如问“你觉得呢”,或者问“你可以怎么解决”。
Experts also say that letting kids feel bored or sad helps learning.
专家也说,让孩子觉得无聊或难过,对学习有帮助。
This also helps kids get ready for adult life.
这也帮助孩子为成年生活做准备。
Keelin Hoffman of the National Children's Museum says boredom can bring creativity and confidence.
国家儿童博物馆的基林·霍夫曼说,无聊可以带来创造力和自信。
Experts say daily tasks give kids a chance to practice being independent.
专家说,每天的任务自然会给孩子练习独立的机会。
Nicole North in Arizona let her daughters make small decisions at age 5.
亚利桑那州的妮科尔·诺斯从女儿5岁起,就让她们做小决定。
Now they go to the grocery store by themselves.
现在她们会自己去杂货店买东西。
Jamia Cunningham-Elder in Chicago looks at what each child can do. Then she decides how much freedom to give.
芝加哥的杰米娅·坎宁安-埃尔德会看每个孩子能做什么,然后决定给多少自由。
Experts also say being independent is not doing everything by yourself.
专家也说,独立不是每件事都自己做。
Asking a teacher for help is also a way to practice being independent.
向老师求助也是一种练习独立。