Email: whydokids@yahoo.com
HOW to HELP CHILDREN with THEIR DAILY ROUTINE
HOUSEHOLD TASKS
Children can help with daily household tasks. It teaches them how to work together while giving them some responsibility. Many preschoolers enjoy cleaning the table, unloading the dishwasher, sweeping, and dusting.
PICKING UP TOYS
Children are always trying to avoid cleaning up after themselves. These strategies can help…
Do not leave the room when your child is cleaning.
When your child does not want to clean up, hand them the toys. Walk with them to put it away.
Make cleaning up a game. For example…
Have your child race the clock or music
Ask your child to pick up blue blocks, then red blocks, then yellow blocks, etc
Have your child toss toys into a container
TEACH KIDS HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
Kids can create their own problems from nothing, sometimes to try and please adults.
You can teach children to solve their own problems by using independence, teamwork, and positive discipline.
Independence Example: Leon says, “I’m going to pick up so I can get a new activity.”
Teamwork Example: All the kids clean up so they can start a brain break.
Positive Discipline Example:
Cole is crying because the block tower he was building keeps falling over.
Ella tells him: “Stay calm. Do you want this toy? Do you want your mom and dad?”
Ella tells me: “Cole’s sad. His blocks keep falling down.”
I tell her, “Ask him if he wants a hug or to be alone.”
SCREEN TIME
There are tons of educational websites for children. Many schools have children use a computer every day as part of their learning experience, so it is an important skill to learn. Educational television is also an option for children if you need time for self care. However, all screen time should be limited. Young children do not sit still for long. If they are not paying attention to an electronic device, it was probably on too long.
WHEN and WHAT TO TEACH
You can teach kids everyday during your daily routine. For example while putting on shoes, at meals, and while riding in the car. The most important things to teach are about safety. School aged children should know their full name, address, phone number, parents names, when and how to call 911. You can also teach them what types of emergencies there are. How to use the internet safely. What to do if there is a fire, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, and intruder.
DOING HOMEWORK
It takes a lot of high brain functioning to be able to do any homework alone. Having your child do homework while you are cooking dinner may help some children.
Teachers are constantly telling kids to read for 20 minutes everyday. A good way to make this happen is to mute a television and have your child read the closed captioning on their favorite TV show.
GETTING TO SLEEP
INFANTS – Everyone has a startle reflex. It happens more often in newborn babies. It can wake them up while sleeping. Using a sleep sack should help them relax and go back to sleep on their own. Using a sleep sack instead of a blanket is recommended and sometimes required for childcare providers.
TODDLERS – If a toddler’s behavior is the same with or without a nap. You can try letting them stay up. When children are tired they will fall asleep eventually.
If they are consistently having issues with sleeping you can try…
Playing 60 beat per/minute music. There is also some relaxing music on the videos page.
Holding your infant and taking deep breaths or telling your child to take deep breaths.
Make sure your child is getting enough active play or exercise during the day.
Do a bedtime routine.
Staying with them for a few minutes.
Making the space dark and quiet can help.
If a school aged child is staying up late and sleeping in you can try spending less time trying to get them to sleep and more time keeping them awake in the morning.
SELF HELP SKILLS BY AGE
Infants are mostly learning physical skills (gross and fine motor)
Infants (birth-12 months):
Learning to self-soothe by sucking on a pacifier or thumb
Sitting up
Using their thumb and finger to eat cereal
Holding their own bottle or sippy cup
Crawling to explore their environment
Cruising around furniture
Toddlers are mostly learning communication skills
Toddlers (1-2 years):
Self-feeding using utensils
Dressing and undressing with assistance
Putting away toys
Wiping their nose
Throwing trash in a trashcan
Covering their cough
Pointing at things they want or using some sign language
Going to an adult to get help
Learning how to trade toys
Preschoolers are mostly learning social skills
Preschoolers (3-5 years):
Learning how to take turns
Washing their own hands and face with supervision
Putting on and taking off clothes independently
Learning to use the toilet and clean themselves
Brushing teeth and combing hair with supervision
Pouring liquids into cups and bowls without spilling
Using scissors to cut paper with supervision
Helping with simple household chores, such as setting the table or dusting
Older children refine the above skills
School-age children (6-12 years):
Tying shoelaces independently
Learning to share
Bathing or showering independently
Preparing simple meals and snacks with supervision
Vacuuming the house
Taking out the trash
Keeping their room organized
Making small purchases with their own money
Managing their own time and schedules, such as getting ready for school on time and completing homework
Teenagers (13-18 years):
Doing laundry
Caring for a pet alone
Going grocery shopping
Preparing more complex meals and snacks independently
Learning to save money to make a large purchase such as a car
Driving or using public transportation
Creating a resume
Managing their finances
Managing their own health and hygiene, such as scheduling doctor and dental appointments with help