Coaching Your Child Into Strong Self Care Self-care skills are the everyday tasks undertaken so children are prepared to participate in life activities (i.e. dressing, brushing teeth, using utensils for eating, simple chores, toileting, washing hands, choosing their own outfit, etc.).
Giving children a chance to practice self-care skills is a very important part of their growth and development. Investing time and effort into encouraging self-care will help your child feel capable, responsible, and independent. Compare self-care to playing sports. Children don’t master soccer drills or hitting a baseball on their first attempt. With a coach modeling and teaching those skills and providing opportunities to practice, the child will strengthen his skills over time. This same concept holds true to self-care skills. Preschoolers are capable of doing these skills, but need you as a parent to coach, model and provide opportunity to practice.
• Set up a routine and follow it every day. • Allow enough time for your child to participate in the self-care activities without feeling rushed.
Whenever your child tries something new, it’s important to focus on the journey (the method) and not • Utilize a visual schedule of the steps involved. the destination (the end result). Spills are inevitable; • Break tasks down into small steps, so they can be they are going to happen when children are practicing achievable. new skills. Helpful tips to encourage self-care skills:
• If your child is struggling with a self-care skill, Remember, early experiences last a lifetime. don’t jump in right away and do the task for them. Encouraging self-care skills in preschool children and Allow time to see if they can figure it out. If not, fostering their growth and development is a recipe for provide some coaching, support and guidance. future success.
Boost Vocabulary with These Easy Tips A healthy preschool vocabulary is important because not only does the ability to communicate his or her needs ease a child’s frustration level, but it also directly relates to school achievement. In fact, the size of a child’s vocabulary in kindergarten can predict her ability to read later on. Building your child’s vocabulary is easy! First of all, talk. Talk to your child every chance you get. Ask questions that require more than a one-word answer, such as “What was the most fun thing you Describe what you’re doing as did today?” instead of “Did you you do it, and describe his or her have fun?”
actions too. Also, use descriptive words. “I am stirring the soup with this long-handled wooden spoon.” “You picked out the striped shirt today and the red shoes with the silver buckle.” Finally, read to your child every day. Every biweekly you get from your child’s teacher will contain suggested books, as does this monthly newsletter. If you haven’t already signed up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, ask your family service worker for this wonderful way to get free books delivered to your home each month!
