Teaching a
child life skills is not only important in self care but also helps him in
developing self esteem, confidence, socializing, independent thinking and
reasoning.
There are
certain skills which need to be inculcated at the very beginning of a child’s
life and some as they grow. These skills are in cooperated from home and may be
not at school. Being an Indian household, every family and religion have
different ways of teaching these skills.
I have listed few life skills which I, as an adult and a mother have instilled in my son’s daily routine. Of course, there would be many more which might be taught at different levels. I strongly believe that none of the house chores should be gender specific. Washing utensils or basic sewing can be done by anybody.
I have listed few life skills which I, as an adult and a mother have instilled in my son’s daily routine. Of course, there would be many more which might be taught at different levels. I strongly believe that none of the house chores should be gender specific. Washing utensils or basic sewing can be done by anybody.
Little Angel (2 – 3 years old)
Ø
Puts his toys away with assistance.
Ø
Puts his soiled clothes in a basket, with little
help from me.
Ø
Folds big sized napkins with assistance.
Ø
Assist in dining table setting like laying the
big sized cutlery – plates, spoon, Bowls, napkin.
Ø Help him hold spoon / fork while having meals on
his own.
Ø Takes more time to complete his food in the
plate.
Ø
Brushes his teeth, washes and wipes his face
with assistance. Cute devils (4 – 5 years old)
Ø
Basic house chores – laying / clearing the table
before / after meals respectively, dusting the reachable places.
Ø
Knows his full name, home address and contact
number (mobile / Landline) to be able to reach in case of emergency.
Ø
Placing all toys / games in places without any
assistance.
Ø
Brushes teeth, washes face, combs hair and has
bath on his own.
Ø
Independently folds medium sized clothes.
Ø
Segregates and piles up different categories of
clothes.
Ø
Uses child friendly knife and Cuts veggies like
Okra, carrots, cucumber with assistance.
Ø
With little help, he peels fruits / veggies
using child friendly peeler.
Ø
Identifies currency denominations and its
uses.
Ø
Selects his own clothes and basic understanding
of
combinations to wear.
combinations to wear.
Adventurous (6 –
8 years old)
Ø
By now, he voluntarily helps in most of the house chores.
Ø
Understands the concept of mixing and stirring while cooking.
Ø
Makes simple food like sandwich on his own.
Ø
Sorts and puts away basic grocery items.
Ø
In an Indian household, he serves meals to the guests (with assistance)
Ø
Starts moving around independently, in known places like building compound.
Ø
Uses dustpan, broom and mopes the floor by him.
Ø
Prepares his birthday party guest list.
Ø
Selects his story books.
Ø
With little help, packs his school bag.
Ø
Tells time (with assistance)
Responsible (9 – 10 years old)
Ø
He starts getting independent with chores like
crossing the road.
Ø Takes care of his personal hygiene without being told.
Ø Goes to a store and makes basic purchases.
Ø Plans his meals with preferences.
Ø Uses microwave with assistance.
Ø Enjoys packing / unpacking his suitcase before/ after travelling. Ø Looks after younger friends and cousins.
Ø Writes letter / post cards to family members.
Ø With little help, wraps gifts.
** This information chart is compiled with my own experiences and experiments. It varies as per every child’s need and development. It does not constitute a standardized research.
