Self Care

You will need:

• Be patient and support your child as they learn to do things for themselves such as eating, dressing, washing and toileting.

• Break tasks down into small steps and let your child master these before moving on to more difficult actions.

• Encourage independence with small things such as: getting a tissue to wipe their nose, going to wash their hands, taking off their shoes at the door, putting rubbish in the bin or putting dirty washing in the basket.

Self-Care

Small steps might include:

• Hold cup for themselves

• Put arm in sleeve

• Put head in t-shirt

• Take pants down or pull them up

• Take off sweatshirt

• Comb hair

• Brush teeth

• Wipe mouth

• Use spoon

• Put shoes on

What next

As your child masters small steps, encourage them to have a go and praise their efforts and success.

Did you know:

• It is important to let a child know what is happening so talk your child through the action

• It is more important to praise effort than to insist on everything being done quickly and perfectly

• You can assist this process by supporting your child as they learn to do things for themselves

• There are pamphlets available from Waitemata Health to help you with toilet training your child. Ph: 09 839 0000

What your child is learning:

• Self help and self care skills

• That they are capable