Self help skills enable the toddlers to become independent and confident. Let the children be involved in household chores, encourage them to do their works, and manage their activities independently.
Benefits of self-help skills: Children with Self-help skills can solve their problems and change their lives more quickly. It also plays a vital role in developing motor skills, increases self-confidence and self-esteem in children. Parents should create self-help activities for their children to improve self-help ability in early childhood because it provides the foundation to get success in the future.
Self Help skills Activities for Toddlers
The following are the nine best self-help activities for toddlers to encourage self-help skills in early childhood.
1.Putting Away Toys
Let the child put and push his toys at home. Request the child to put his toys in the cupboard. Discourage the child to put down his toys on the floor after playtime. This activity helps to increase self-help skills in a child.
2. Empty Wastebaskets
The child should empty wastebaskets in the garbage, and he should put the used tissues and waste papers in the basket. Parents should encourage the child when he tries to keep his room clean.
3. Dressing and Undressing Independently
Let the child sort his shirt and socks independently. He should put his dirty clothes in the hamper. Let the child sort his socks and put his foot in the shoe. Dressing and undressing activity enhances the ability of self-help in early childhood.
4. Set the bed for Sleeping
This is a critical job for the child. Parents show the children how they set the bed for sleeping. And how close after sleeping.
5. Setting the Table
Encourage the child to put the plates, dishes, and cups on the table. Parents provide the opportunity to set the things on the dining table. Let the child place the books/ notebooks in the study room.
6. Using the Toilet
Let the child use the toilet independently. Parents should teach the child how to use the bathroom in early childhood. Encourage the child when he starts to use the toilet independently.
7. Brush The Teethes
The child should brush his teaches without parental help. It is the parental responsibility to provide guidance and tell the child about appropriate times such as before sleeping.
8. Take Food Independently
Let the child take his responsibilities in eating activities without other’s help. Let the child drink the milk from a cup. The child must use the spoon himself during eating. Try to pick up cups/dishes with his fingers.
9. Washing and Dray the Hands
The child should try to wash their hands themselves. Try to build a habit to clean and dry their hands without any help. Parents should help the child when he needs help in the initial stage.
In Conclusion: self-help skills play an essential role in self-improvement. Self-help skills enhance academic outcomes and also lead to developing fine motor skills, eye coordination, and sensory upbringing, and problem-solving skills in early childhood. It is a parental/teacher’s duty to develop self-help skills in children.
References
- Anna Ivanovna Akhmetzyanova, The Development of Self-Care Skills of Children with Severe Mental Retardation in the Context of Lekoteka, World Applied Sciences Journal 29 (6): 724-727, 2014
- Child Development in the Home, Children’s Bureau (DREW), Washington, D.C.mw-ono-74-42.
- Teaching Your Child to Become Independent with Daily Routines, The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, Vanderbilt University.