Beginning in October, the Bright Beginnings Center, preschool for Hopedale Public Schools, started partnering with families to introduce the Let Grow program, an innovative national movement designed to nurture independence, confidence, and resilience in children of all ages. 

The Let Grow initiative was co-founded by NYU Professor Jonathan Haidt, author of the bestselling book The Anxious Generation. Haidt began the program after observing what he described as “the increasing fragility of young people on campus.” As more formal, adult-directed activities have taken the place of child-directed, independent free time after school, there has also been a shift in the emotional makeup of our children. He believes that today’s children are growing up with less unstructured play and fewer opportunities to take manageable risks, an absence that leaves them unprepared to face frustration, discomfort, and even open dialogue. 

“The Let Grow movement was born to help children build the confidence and resilience they need to thrive,” Haidt explains. Through simple, developmentally appropriate experiences, children learn to trust their own abilities and discover the satisfaction of independence. 

Co-founder and psychologist Peter Gray adds, “Children who have more opportunities than others for independent activities are not only happier in the short run, because the activities engender happiness and a sense of trustworthiness and competence, but also happier in the long run, because independent activities promote the growth of mental capacities for coping effectively with life’s inevitable stressors.”

At the Bright Beginnings Center, the Let Grow philosophy is being embraced both in classrooms and at home. Families are invited to take part by offering preschoolers optional opportunities for age-appropriate independence. These might include moments of independent play, self-care tasks such as putting on their own shoes or zipping their coats, or helping with simple household chores like unloading the silverware from the dishwasher.

Educators at the Bright Beginnings see these experiences as essential steps in early childhood development, helping children learn responsibility, problem-solving, and perseverance. “Giving young children the chance to try, make mistakes, and succeed on their own is one of the greatest gifts we can offer,” said BBC Principal Kristen Poisson. “It’s how they learn confidence, creativity, and resilience.”

Although Let Grow is primarily focused on the K-12 population, BBC has modified the materials for their preschool population in an effort to set their students up for success early on. As Poisson says, "At the core of all we do in preschool is providing early gains for later success. The social emotional foundation is so important because it sets the stage for everything else. Children can't truly be successful with academics if their social emotional wellbeing is not in place and that's what we are trying to do."

October presented BBC families with their first opportunity to participate in the month-long Let Grow initiative. Poisson said there will be three other opportunities throughout the school year with new "challenges" for students and their families to try. 

As the Let Grow program takes root in Hopedale, BBC hopes it will inspire families to see independence not as something to fear, but as something to celebrate, a key part of growing strong, capable, and happy children.

Submitted by Bright Beginnings Center