Promoting Independence at School and Home

Providing opportunities for young children to be independent nurtures well-being and a sense of self and identity. These opportunities also promote confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills. The following strategies and suggestions can help to strengthen independence skills with your child at home.

Strategies:

Give your child small tasks they can do on their own like putting on their shoes, putting away toys, or feeding a pet.
Offer choices. For example, let your child pick out pajamas, healthy snacks or a favourite playtime activity.
Engage and interact in tasks that build independence together. For example, show your child how to tear lettuce, set the table or sort laundry.
Create consistent routines - Give cues before a transition happens. For example, “We’ll start putting the blocks away in a few minutes.”
Establish bedtime routines that ensure a recommended 10+ hours of sleep each night.

Try It Out!

Young children love to know what’s happening throughout the day!

Visual schedules can be displayed at home to support a child’s growing sense of predictability, independence and self-help skills.

Here is a resource that supports the creation of a visual schedule at home.

Nurturing Self-Help Skills at Home

Self-help skills empower your child to become increasingly independent while building their confidence! Here are a few ways you can support your child to grow their independent personal care.

Encourage your child to:

Wash their hands before each meal, after using the toilet, and after playing outside.
Properly brush their teeth.
Put on their clothing, zipping zippers and snapping snaps, putting on their shoes on the correct feet.
Open and close containers, pour their drinks in a cup without spilling.
Clean up their toys and keep their room organized.
Communicate their needs and feelings, and to ask for help when needed.

Encourage Toilet Learning! Toilet learning takes time and consistent routines. The following resource can support children and families with toilet learning at home.

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
1994 Fisher Drive
Peterborough, ON K9J 6X6

Phone: 705-742-9773
Toll Free: 1-877-741-4577
Fax: 705-742-7801
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