Encourage My Independence
Here's What To Do
Your child is at a wonderful age where they can do a lot more independently – and they want to!
Encourage them as much as possible and ask other family members to do the same.
Offer guidance, suggestions and help when needed, but allow them to practice skills like dressing themselves, toileting, bathing and brushing their teeth independently.
Choose a skill each week to focus on, and watch their independence grow!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Throughout the day, practice simple calming strategies together, like taking deep breaths and saying encouraging words like “I can do it.” That way, when your child feels frustrated with a task, they know how to encourage themselves to keep going.
Engage:
- “It’s time to get dressed for school. You can choose what you’d like to wear today and put the clothes on.”
- “You did a great job washing your hands! You remembered to scrub all around!”
Encourage:
- Leave a little extra time to allow your child to do tasks independently. For example, start getting ready to go out earlier so that your child can take their time and you don’t feel rushed.
- If there are specific items that must be worn or specific things to do, offer choices where possible. “Today, we can’t wear sandals. We have to wear socks and boots because it’s cold outside. What color socks would you like to wear?”
Reflect:
- “What are some things that you can do by yourself? How does that make you feel?”
Not quite ready?
Describe what you’re doing as you help your child with tasks they can’t yet do independently so they can learn how to do it. Then, slowly allow them to do different parts of the task. For example, they can put their shoes on, then you can show them how to tie the laces.
Ready for more?
Involve your child in learning additional self-help skills.
As your child masters this skill...
They will independently complete personal hygiene, dressing and self-help routines.