Fostering Independence Through the Let Grow Project

October 14, 2025

Dear Maria,

How do I help foster my child's independence?

Sincerely,

Curious Parent

Dear Curious Parent,

Cascadia has been taking part in the Let Grow program for a few years now. Let Grow is a nation-wide grass-roots organization dedicated to helping us all raise independent and self-reliant kids.

At Cascadia, we use Let Grow research, articles, and monthly projects to get our school community thinking and talking about how we can bring the level of independence and self-reliance we foster at school, home to children and families.

Here's how the program works:

Once a month, our Director of Education goes into each classroom to talk about a Let Grow theme, and to brainstorm ideas for simple activities they can do independently at home. At the end of the month, she visits each classroom for a reflection on how it went.

You can 1. LOOK over the Let Grow Activity Handout with your child. 2. TALK about their ideas and share your own stories. 3. DECIDE on an independent activity together. 4. SHARE how it went (there's a sheet your child can bring back to the classroom).

"Independence is not something that your children can gain on their own. They have neither the perspective, the experience, nor the skills to develop independence separately from you. Rather, it is a gift you give your children that they will cherish and benefit from their entire lives."

-Dr. Jim Taylor (psychologytoday)

You can watch these videos to find out more.

This one features a Let Grow Lighthouse schools, where they have implemented The Let Grow Experience.
This is the Let Grow Explainer video, a concise and easy-to-follow explanation of Let Grow's mission and how it works to give kids independence.
You can also check out Let Grow's president and co-founder, Lenore Skenazy's, recent cheekily named Ted Talk here: Why you should spend less time with your kids!

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