9 Best Activities to Encourage Self Help Skills In Children

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. Tell the Child To 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 to set the books/ notebooks in the study room.   

6. Using the Toilet 

Let the child use the toilet independently. Parents should teach the child how he can use the toilet in early childhood. Encourage the child when he starts to use the toilet without any help.

7. Help the Child to Brush his Own Teethes

The child should brush his teaches without parental help. It is the parental responsibility to provide guidance and tell the child about appropriate time such as before sleeping etc.

8. Child Should 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 cup/dishes with his own fingers.  

9. Washing and Dray the Hands

The child should try to wash their hands himself. Try to build a habit in children to wash 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 important role in self-improvement. Self-help skills enhance academic outcomes.  It is well documented that self-help skills 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.