Hardening Off
hardening off: The process of gradually acclimatizing greenhouse or indoor grown plants to outdoor growing conditions.
The idea of hardening off can take place in various ways throughout a child’s life. Of course our ultimate goal as parents is to move our children from our protective care, our own virtual greenhouse, to a life thriving on their own outside our home. The gradual acclimation for children seems to be ideal to their growth.
When a child is very small we can start by leaving him/her for a few minutes at a time with one parent alone. Then we can leave the child with other family members, maybe grandparents or aunts and uncles. As the child begins to grow, s/he may be ready to see more of the outside world. Slowly we can introduce him/her to different settings. Perhaps an art class or a sports team or simple playdates outside our home.
As the child continues his/her growth, many are sent to school outside the home and/or to other caregivers and activities. These gradual exposures in safe environments will help the child to acclimate to a life outside the home, which will one day be his/her own.
