Self Help Skills Community Contribution Skills As children grow, they learn to perform more and more tasks. ... When parents/caregivers provide the opportunities for children to practice helping with tasks (such as planting/watering flowers, visiting grandma/grandpa/family, having good manners at public places, etc..) themselves, they develop and strengthen their large and small motor skills, they gain confidence in their ability to try new things, and they build their self-esteem and take pride in their independence. These new skills are an extension of the previous skills learned to take care of their home and will create a vested interest in becoming a successful caring productive citizen within their community. It is important to let your child assist to the best of their ability with all these skills, remember that in the beginning things will be messy and accidents will happen, but do not become discouraged. Be patient and soon you will find that you have fostered a very independent child who takes joy in performing many things for himself/herself in becoming a contributing community member. Along with being taught how to care for their basic needs, how to care for their belongings, how to help take care of their home, children need to learn how to contribute to society. At first, you as the parent will have to assist the child to perform the task, as their skills increase the child will become more independent. When teaching any new skill it is a good idea to begin with only 1 skill at a time until it has been learned before moving on to the next. The charts offered are only guidelines and any age appropriate skill may be substituted. Do not forget Safety is always first and foremost! Preschool Self-Help Skills Always remember to keep safety first and NEVER leave your child unattended. When you are helping your child learn a new behavior you can encourage and motive your child to learn/complete the new task by setting up a sticker or reward chart. The chart is a visual reminder of the expected task. A reward chart can be as simple as a sticker or star on a chart. Once the task is presented and your child begins to help with the task, and it is completed they earn a sticker immediately. Remember in the beginning they will only be assisting you with the task until they practice enough to master it. The sticker will be the immediate reinforcer/reward. You and child will continue to practice the skill while the child earns stickers/stars. Once they fill their chart with stickers or stars, you may reward them with a slightly bigger prize. Do not forget to celebrate their accomplishments and praise them for their hard work. Community Help Items
Plant Flowers – Planting flowers makes people happy and lets neighbors enjoy the view.
Visitations – Grandmas and Grandpas always enjoy visits for their grandchildren. By visiting family members gives your child a sense of belonging and responsibility to others.
Playground – By teaching your child how to share and take turns will help him/her when playing at a public park and making new friends.
Restaurant – Helping your child learn good manners instills a sense of courtesy for others.
For those children with limited mobility hand over hand assistance can be provided. For children who may require more assistance the use of a Visual Schedule (step by step pictures) may be used.
Click here to download and print personal chore chart: