As your child gets older they will learn and want to do more things for themselves, from popping toast into the toaster to taking out the vacuum cleaner to tidy up their bedroom. While watching your child grow increasingly independent can be bittersweet, learning to take care of themselves is an important part of your child’s personal and social development.
Skills they will work on
- Taking a bath or shower:
- Preparing breakfast:
Six-year olds can fix themselves cold cereal and pour juice or milk. Eight-year-olds are probably ready to use the toaster oven for heating muffins, bagels, and other breakfast items.
- Packing their backpack:
By the time your child is about 8, they should be able to pack their schoolbag with all the necessities for the day, such as books, food, musical instruments, and sports gear. Until then, you will want to help them gather the right stuff.
- Making lunch:
With limited choices and some guidance from you, your school-age child is capable of packing their own lunch. Take a sneak peek to make sure that what they are bringing to school is (mostly) nutritious and of course is permitted by the school.
- Helping out around the house:
Children this age can pick up their toys, make their beds, and clean their rooms; they can even get the vacuum cleaner out! They could also lend a hand with tasks in the kitchen and garden.
What you can do
As always, encouragement is essential. Whenever your child tries their hand at a new skill, tell them you’re proud they made the effort (regardless of the result) and urge them to try again. Don’t always jump in to help as soon as they get stuck as it’s vital that they have enough time to master tasks on their own, at their own pace.Try not to pressure them before they're ready, either. Be flexible, if making lunch means peanut butter sandwiches every day for a week, then so be it. More important things, like independence and self-sufficiency are at stake. Equally if they miss some of the carpet as they vacuum, just let it go! Remember, practice makes perfect.
