One of the goals we talk about often in early childhood is independence, raising capable, confident children who believe they can do hard things. And yet, if I am being honest, this is one of those areas where I find myself nodding in agreement at school…and then catching myself at home doing things for my own children that they are perfectly capable of doing on their own.

Life is busy. Mornings move fast. Sometimes it feels easier to zip the jacket, open the snack, or tie the shoe just to keep things moving. I catch myself doing this even with my own daughters, who are now eight and very capable. It is a good reminder to slow down and make space for them to try.

At our house, we end each day with simple affirmations: “You are strong. You are kind. You are brave. You are smart. You can do hard things because…” and in unison they shout back, “Because we are Irwins!” It is playful, but it speaks to something deeper. We want children to see themselves as capable.

This is why The Little Engine That Could has always stayed with me. “I think I can, I think I can…” A few years ago, a Trinity senior shared this very book in his senior chapel talk. He spoke honestly about how school had been hard for him, how learning did not always come easily, and how approaching challenges with a “think I can” mindset made all the difference. Today, he is a student at Yale University. Not because things were easy, but because he learned to believe in himself and persevere.

For our preschoolers, this mindset begins with small, everyday moments: putting on their own jacket, opening their lunch, cleaning up, getting dressed, solving a problem before an adult steps in. These are the early building blocks of independence and confidence.

So as we partner with you in raising children who are strong, brave, and capable, our encouragement is simple: slow down just enough to let them try. Celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. Those small “I can do it” moments are planting the seeds for a lifetime of believing, “I think I can”.