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Concurrent Resolution Encouraging Practices that Promote Child Independence
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Lincoln Fillmore
House Sponsor:
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LONG TITLE
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General Description:
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This resolution encourages practices that promote child independence.
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Highlighted Provisions:
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This resolution:
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▸ highlights the importance of free play and child independence;
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▸ supports children engaging in independent activities;
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▸ encourages school districts, school administrators, and teachers to utilize the Let Grow
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school program to help build independence;
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▸ encourages the State Board of Education to incorporate childhood independence
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throughout the core standards for Utah public schools; and
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▸ urges local governments and school districts to enact practices that encourage children to
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be able to explore, play, wander, and build independence.
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Money Appropriated in this Bill:
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None
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Other Special Clauses:
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None
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Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
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WHEREAS, levels of anxiety and depression are increasing in children and young adults;
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WHEREAS, constant supervision thwarts a child's ability to develop important qualities,
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such as resourcefulness, self-awareness, and perseverance;
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WHEREAS, there is ample research to suggest that children are safer when unsupervised
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today than they were in previous generations, yet play that allows children to take appropriate
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risks has declined;
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WHEREAS, children are not fragile but rather resilient and capable individuals;
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WHEREAS, parents stepping back Ŝ→ , ←Ŝ Ŝ→ where developmentally appropriate, ←Ŝ allows
children to
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step up;
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WHEREAS, children who are allowed to take risks and figure things out themselves at
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home will have more grit and determination at school;
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WHEREAS, engaging in independent activities promotes resilience and encourages the
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development of coping mechanisms in children;
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WHEREAS, when children are able to improvise without an adult present they learn that Ŝ→
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they ←Ŝ
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are capable;
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WHEREAS, independent children feel confident and hopeful;
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WHEREAS, independent play can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression;
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WHEREAS, play is crucial for healthy child development and learning the skills to be an
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adult;
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WHEREAS, self-directed kids make better learners;
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WHEREAS, school culture becomes more supportive and inclusive when students may
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interact with each other and solve their own challenges without premature adult intervention;
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WHEREAS, children learn creativity and to celebrate their peers' unique skills and interests
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when allowed to direct their own play;
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WHEREAS, mixed-age play benefits all age groups, as younger children learn executive
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functioning skills trying to emulate older children and older children develop responsibility
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and empathy as they interact with younger children;
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WHEREAS, children learn social skills and problem-solving during self-organized play
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without an adult stepping in to immediately solve problems;
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WHEREAS, children deserve time and space to explore, play, and wander;
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WHEREAS, experts in childhood independence have created the Let Grow school program
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to provide guidance and curriculum for parents and educators to engage in, promote, and build
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childhood independence; and
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WHEREAS, Let Grow supports empathy and helps develop a child's agency,
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self-confidence, creativity, communication, cooperation, resilience, and problem-solving skills:
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
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Governor concurring therein, supports children who are of sufficient age and maturity to avoid
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harm or unreasonable risk of harm to engage in independent activities, including traveling to
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and from school, traveling to and from nearby commercial or recreational facilities, engaging
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in outdoor play, remaining at home unattended, or engaging in a similar independent activity.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
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concurring therein, encourages school districts, school administrators, and teachers to utilize
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the Let Grow school program to promote and build independence in children.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
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concurring therein, encourages the State Board of Education to look for ways to incorporate
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childhood independence throughout the core standards for Utah public schools.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
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concurring therein, encourages local governments and school districts to enact practices that
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encourage children to be able to explore, play, wander, and build independence.
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