Development of self-care skills is an important part of child development. Children who have been encouraged to ‘‘have a go’’ and given the time and support to develop independence at mealtimes and in dressing, grooming and toileting will show greater
initiative and confidence in their play and learning.
Independence also helps your child when settling into new environments such as child care or prep.
Babies
Babies show the beginnings of self-care skills when they put their hands to the bottle or cup as they are being fed or as they begin to hold onto a spoon or eat simple finger foods. Older babies can be encouraged to ‘help’ wash hands, pull socks off and lift arms to have a shirt pulled off.
Toddlers
Toddlers want to do everything themselves! Prepare meals that your toddler can eat independently (and messily). Let toddlers ‘have a go’ at washing and drying themselves, cleaning their teeth, brushing their hair, packing away toys, and taking their off clothes. Do not expect total cooperation! Around 18-24 months introduce the potty by encouraging your toddler to watch others use the toilet, becoming familiar with the potty, having time with nappies off and talking about toilet time.
Young Children
Better skill and control means young children can carry out more tasks on their own, although supervision, encouragement and follow-up will still be necessary. Children will be managing a spoon and fork to do simple spreading and cutting. They can wash and dry themselves, brush their teeth and hair, dress and undress, but may still need assistance to
complete these tasks well. Small fastenings, laces and buckles may still be tricky and not be mastered until 5 or 6 years old.
Occupational Therapists can your child with:
dressing skills – putting clothes on and off, shoes and socks, tying shoe laces, buttoning, zippers, organisation skills- hygiene skills – hair and teeth brushing, washing body and hands, toileting,
- eating – using utensils knife, fork and spoon, bilateral co-ordination of knife and fork, pouring drink, drinking from a cup, messy eaters, difficulties with food textures and smells
What to look for in your child:
- dressing skills – putting clothes on backwards, inside out, shoes on wrong feet, unable to get arms into sleeves and legs into pants, disorganised, difficulties with buttoning, zipping and laces.
- hygiene skills – difficulties with hair/teeth brushing, washing body, doesn’t like water on face, upset washing hair, difficulties with toileting, wiping, redressing and timing
- eating – difficulties with using utensils, messy eating, limited food preferences, difficulties with pouring drink or drinking from a cup