We put a lot of emphasis on the importance of academic skills and education for little ones through pre-k, enrichment, and mommy and me classes; however, an essential part of your little one’s early childhood education is learning practical life skills. These are the skills that get us through the day – from using the bathroom on their own to learning how to communicate their needs!
Self-Care
Some of these skills we may practice without even thinking about them, but that’s because someone taught us how early on. Activities like brushing our teeth, getting dressed, washing our hands – at one point or another we learned from someone else how to take care of ourselves.
Imagine, your little one is standing next to you while you’re brushing your teeth. Maybe they even mimic your movements (like they might have mimicked you in mommy and me classes) as you brush. Take that moment to explain why and how we brush our teeth. I have found that when a little one understands why we do something, they take an interest in it and may feel more inclined to try it for themselves. Some other practical life skills that fall under self-care include:
- Using the Toilet: Playgarden Prep’s Miss Beth has shared some helpful guidance for potty training that can be found here: Potty Training Tips from Miss Beth
- Washing Hands: Learning when it’s most important to wash our hands (after using the bathroom, before eating/handling food, when they are visibly dirty, etc.)
- Dressing/Undressing: This can be very helpful when you’re in a hurry to get to your mommy and me classes and you can trust them to get themselves ready.
Helping Around the House
As their parent, you are going to do a lot for your little one before they learn how to do things for themselves. As they are able, start inviting them to help you with certain household tasks. Cleaning up their toys is an excellent place to begin! Showing your little one what a tidy space looks like and how to get it there can help encourage them to keep their space clean when they are not playing, when you have company over, before you head out to mommy and me classes, and more.
Learning how to take care of the space they live in, and how to be of service to their friends and family is an incredible skill to have. This can lead to success when working with other students in the classroom or working in teams on projects, and sets them up for success in future living situations (college, living with roommates, a future partner, taking their own little ones to mommy and me classes, etc.) Even if you have a housekeeper or someone who helps you with these tasks, it’s important for your little one to learn how to do them when, one day, they will have to do those tasks themself. Other household-related practical life skills include:
- Making the Bed: Straightening the sheets, adjusting pillows, and even arranging their stuffed animals can build independence in your little one and inspire positive energy for the day ahead.
- Cleaning up Playtime: Follow the link for more tips and ideas on How to Encourage Your Child to Clean
- Helping with Meals: Setting the table, pouring drinks (water, milk, etc.), clearing the table, cleaning dishes, or loading a dishwasher. These tasks not only teach them how to care for themselves and others when it comes to mealtime, but it can also show gratitude to whomever made the meal – “I’m so grateful my grown-up is making us dinner, I’m going to help by setting the table for us!”
Odds are, you are already introducing your little one to these kinds of practical life skills. Learning the basics of how to take care of themselves this early on in their development and early childhood education, like while they are still young enough to be taking mommy and me classes, can benefit them greatly. Knowing how to take care of themselves boosts their confidence and independence, as well as sets them up for success when they’re older, so they can be self-sufficient adults!
