Empowering Preschoolers: Teaching Life Skills
|
Hey Reader! Some of the most valuable skills we can teach our preschools to help them be successful in kindergarten is just “life skills” – things like putting on their own shoes, opening their lunch box, taking care of their belongings, and cleaning up after themselves. Encouraging these “self-help skills” not only builds their confidence but also sets the foundation for independence, responsibility, resilience, problem-solving, and conflict resolution! Could you do it faster? Probably. But the children in your care are missing out on critical skills when you (or their parents) do it for them. Why does it matter?When children learn to manage simple tasks like dressing themselves, washing hands, or cleaning up after themselves, they begin to see themselves as helpful contributors who bring value to their community. This independence boosts their self-esteem and encourages problem-solving. It also creates smoother classroom transitions and gives children a sense of ownership (aka control) over their daily routines. And let’s be honest, it makes the teacher’s day a whole lot easier when children can meet their own basic needs! Practical Ideas for Teaching Life-SkillsDress-Up Practice: Includes lots of dress-up options in your dramatic play area where children can practice putting on jackets, zipping up coats, and buttoning shirts. Also, include extra time when you’re getting ready to go outside for children to put on their own jackets and zip them up. Remember to coach them through the struggle rather than doing it for them. (ex: start the zipper but then let them pull it all the way up) Snack Time Helpers: Allow children to be responsible for simple tasks like pouring water, passing out napkins, or cleaning up their space after eating. These small roles foster independence and build responsibility. Preschool children (even 2 year olds) are very capable of throwing away their own trash, wiping tables with a wipe or paper towels, and pushing in chairs. Involve them in the work of keeping the classroom clean and safe! Bathroom Independence: This is a BIG one. Coach children through the process of pulling down their pants and undies, wiping appropriately, flushing, pulling up their own undies and pants and then washing their hands. You might even create a poster with pictures of how to do each step. (This is the one time I suggest using clip art rather than pictures of your students!) Even children still in diapers can start learning some of these skills – pulling up their own pants and washing their hands are great skills to start practicing asap! Classroom Jobs: Assign children small classroom tasks like holding the door, turning off the lights, helping with specific clean-up tasks like wiping tables, or setting out snacks/lunches/supplies. Rotating jobs gives every child a chance to contribute and feel capable. Children who learn how to complete these small jobs also have a sense of ownership over their classroom spaces. What are some ways that YOU help children learn basic life skills in your classroom? Have you noticed some specific areas that need a little more practice than others? How do you encourage independence for your students? Reply to this email and let us know!
Cheering you on this week! -Your ECCN team
Colossians 3:16 “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” |
