Practical Life Skills

It is not what you do for your child, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.

-Ann Landers

When we think about our child’s learning and development, we are often overly focused on academic achievements: do they recognize their numbers? Can they recite their ABCs?

But what about practical life skills?

Practical life skills are the activities of everyday life. They can be as simple as washing their hands and can get as complicated as cooking a meal. They foster the independence, confidence and self-discipline they need for success throughout their lives.

It is never too early to start teaching your child these skills – they are applicable for all ages, including babies – and vary depending on what your child can do at his stage of development.

Here are some of our favorite activities by age group:

12-18 Months

• Help put toys away
• Brush hair
• Scoop food into bowl
• Put dirty clothes in laundry basket
• Take off socks
• Fetch shoes
• Choose between 2 outfit options
• Wipe up spills
• Turn light switch on/off
• Wash hands with assistance

18-36 Months

• Choose clothes
• Get dressed with assistance
• Wash fruits and vegetables
• Assist with cooking
• Help water plants
• Brush teeth with assistance
• Help fetch things
• Put toys away
• Throw away trash
• Wipe the table

3-5 Years

• Assist with cooking
• Help load & unload the dishwasher
• Help set & clear the table
• Help sort & fold clothes
• Arrange flowers in small vases
• Help make bed
• Sort recycling
• Make a simple snack
• Help put away groceries
• Feed pets