Impact on Children

Children like Rolo don’t just miss out on mastering daily routines - they miss out on feeling proud. Without the small wins, their self-image stays fragile. They become more anxious about getting things wrong, more resistant to trying, and more reliant on adult reassurance. Over time, they might even avoid tasks entirely, not because they can’t do them, but because they’re scared to fail. That mindset follows them far beyond Reception.

Impact on Parents

If your child finds basic tasks tricky, it’s tempting to jump in. It saves time. It avoids tantrums. It feels like love. But over time, doing everything for them creates dependency - and frustration for everyone involved. Your child might cry, claim they can’t, or insist “Mum does it” as a get-out card. But they’ll never want to do it themselves until they’ve had enough chances to try, fail, and succeed. Letting go a little at home makes a huge difference when they get to school. Start small. Step back. Cheer them on. You’re not being mean - you’re showing them that you believe they can.

Impact on Teachers

One child refusing to put on their coat might seem minor - but multiply that by three, and suddenly one adult is off the floor helping while the rest of the class gets restless. It disrupts the rhythm of the day and sends a message to others: if you hold back long enough, you might get special treatment too. Teachers aren’t trying to be unkind - they’re trying to encourage capability, confidence, and responsibility. And they can’t do that if they’re constantly stuck doing things for children instead of with them.