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, 鈥淲e鈥檒l start putting the blocks away in a few minutes.鈥�
Establish bedtime routines that ensure a recommended 10+ hours of sleep each night.

Try It Out!

Young children love to know what鈥檚 happening throughout the day!

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

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:

听before each meal, after using the toilet, and after playing outside.
.
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!听Toilet learning takes time and consistent routines. The following resource can support children and families with听.

Helping your Child Develop Toilet Independence

Toileting independence is a big step for children starting school. When children can manage their own personal care, they feel more confident, comfortable, and ready to join in classroom听routines. Supporting these听skills听at home makes听the transition to听kindergarten a听smoother and more positive听school experience.听听听

Strategies听for听Building听Toileting听Independence:听

Create听predictable听routines for regular washroom breaks.听
Encourage your child to notice body signals. Use phrases like 鈥淒o you feel like you need to use the washroom?鈥�
Choose clothing that supports independence, such as pants with elastic waistbands, so your child can manage them easily.听
Guide your child through the steps of toileting 鈥� sitting comfortably, wiping carefully, and flushing when finished.听
Make handwashing fun! Sing the alphabet while scrubbing with soap for about 20 seconds, then rinse and dry well.听听
Offer lots of praise and encouragement for every effort. Confidence grows with every try!听
Practice away from home in different settings like public washrooms, to help your children feel confident wherever they go.听
Avoid sending flushable wipes to school 鈥� they can cause plumbing issues. 听

听Every small step helps build skills, confidence, and readiness for school!听

Toileting and Self-Care Resources:

听Durham Region听

听鈥� Five Counties Children鈥檚 Centre听

听 About Kids Health -Health Education Website听听

丝瓜视频 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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