Pointing out learning opportunities reduces overparenting

Abstract

Overparenting-taking over and completing developmentally appropriate tasks for children-is pervasive and hurts children's motivation. Can overparenting in early childhood be reduced by simply framing tasks as learning opportunities? In Study 1 (N = 77; 62% female; 74% White; collected 4/2022), US parents of 4-to-5-year-olds reported taking over less on tasks they perceived as greater learning opportunities, which was most often the case on academic tasks. Studies 2 and 3 (N = 140; 67% female; 52% White; collected 7/2022-9/2023) showed that framing the everyday, non-academic task of getting dressed as a learning opportunity-whether big or small-reduced parents' taking over by nearly half (r = -.39). These findings suggest that highlighting learning opportunities helps parents give children more autonomy.