What is Self-Care?
Self-care involves all of the basic activities children do to care for themselves, such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and toileting. Sleep is also included in this category, because it is important for a child’s well-being and functioning.
Why Is Self-Care Important For My Child?
Self-care skills are important, because they promote independence! As your child develops self-care skills, their level of independence will increase. When children complete daily tasks independently, they begin to establish confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and build other key skills.
Increased levels of independence will also allow parents to focus more on other responsibilities, such as family needs and daily routines.
Early Childhood Self-Care Milestones
By 6 Months, A Child Should…
By 8-12 Months, A Child Should…
By 1-2 Years, A Child Should…
By 2-3 Years, A Child Should…
By 3-4 Years, A Child Should…
By 4-5 Years, A Child Should…
By 5-6 Years, A Child Should…
By 6-7 Years, A Child Should…
When Should I Seek Help For My Child?
The age at which children reach developmental milestones depends on a variety of factors. Make sure you are giving your child the opportunity to complete activities on their own to foster a sense of independence. If you have concerns about your child’s development in any of the above areas, consulting a pediatric occupational therapist may be the next best step.
How Can Pediatric Occupational Therapy Help?
Self-care skills require the development of underlying fine and gross motor skills and core strength. A pediatric occupational therapist can help a child develop these skills to achieve greater independence with self-care and daily routines.
For additional information please download Chicago Occupational Therapy’s book,
“Independence in Early Childhood” or Contact Chicago Occupational Therapy at (773) 980-0300 to learn more about our services and how we can help your child flourish and grow.
