Helping children learn...
  Self-help and social skills
 
        Being able to do things for one's self, to get along with others, and to be able to be away from people one knows, are basic to being ready for school. If your child isn't able to do this yet, parents and those who look after children are the best people to help children learn.
Illustration by Andrea Elovson, from The Kindergarten Survival Handbook If your child does not go to nursery school or is not part of a playgroup, arrange for your child to play with other children in a place outside your own home, with another adult in charge. Help your child get used to your not being there, a little longer each time.
 
Some important things that you can help them to learn are:
  • Putting on and taking off their own clothes,
  • Taking themselves to the toilet (and remembering to flush it, and was their hands every time),
  • Washing and drying their hands and face,
  • Combing their hair and brushing their teeth,
  • Making a snack for themselves, and putting their things away.
 Illustration by Andrea Elovson, from The Kindergarten Survival Handbook
 
Illustration by Andrea Elovson, from The Kindergarten Survival Handbook One of the most important things for parents to remember is to try not to do things for children which children can do, or could learn to do for themselves.

Lots of us think that being a good parent means doing everything for our children. But it depends on what kinds of things we do. It's not good to keep children from learning to do certain things for themselves.

Being a good parent means helping your children grow strong and teaching them to do as many things for themselves as possible.

Children really love to feel that they can do things. It makes them feel important and grown up.
 
SO, TEACH YOUR CHILD TO DO SOME THINGS WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

Of course, it sometimes takes longer that way. But in the end, it's worth it, because your child has learned something.

When children ask you to do something they need to be able to do on their own...

  • ask them to begin doing it alone
  • tell them that when they can't get any further, you'll be there to help.
 Illustration by Andrea Elovson, from The Kindergarten Survival Handbook
 
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Copyright © Parent Education Resources from The Kindergarten Survival Handbook
Part 2, "A Guide for Parents"