Our children have the right to trust in their abilities, and eventually to develop mastery in their lives. The path towards self-efficacy begins in infancy, with a need to be attached, but just as importantly, with a need to be separate. In order to fulfill the need to be separate, children must build the capacity to look after themselves.

The family’s routine activities are opportunities for children to practice the life skills that lead to self-efficacy.

Each small task done well becomes a competency. Competency leads to self-efficacy. Self-efficacy builds confidence. Confident children feel useful, able, and significant.

 Later, the individual’s ability to look after himself or herself will be actualized through the world of work, but the seeds of competence, sown in the family’s activities of daily living, are planted early.