EN
Synopsis: Human autonomy is social in character. The process of gaining autonomy takes the person’s whole life. In addition to this, no one can give autonomy to a child, rather the child becomes autonomous with time. The notion of a small child’s competence is connected with the concept of autonomy. A small child has intellectual, emotional and physical powers to constantly become more and more autonomous. Therefore, the child must be supported by the educator who allows the child to show enough initiative, and gives her or him enough time to perform tasks, face obstacles, experience frustration and refuse requests. In reference to the educator, the notion of autonomy is perceived as a representation and cultural element of the educator’s actions. On the educator’s side, supporting the autonomy of a small child requires the educator to imagine the world from the child’s perspective in relation to learning, and the place she or he has within it.