I Can Do It

Practice taking care of self

At home, children can often get one-on-one help with what they need. At school, teachers have many children to care for and may not be able to assist right away. This is why it is important for children to learn to do tasks like zip jackets, put on shoes, and open snack containers. These everyday tasks use fine motor skills—small movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.

Audience

Caregiver

Subject

School Readiness

Age

KindergartenPre-KPreschoolToddler

Languages

Brazilian PortugueseEnglishHaitian CreoleSimplified ChineseSpanish

Materials

Containers with lids, ziplock bags, modeling clay, yarn, ribbons, streamers, scarves, basket, velcro stickers, craft sticks

When children practice taking care of themselves, they learn how to do things safely and with care. Children who can do things on their own feel ready to try something new.

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Try these activities together!

Picnic play

Set up a pretend picnic. Invite stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, or even family and friends.
Spread a blanket on the floor to make your picnic space. Place lunch boxes, containers with lids, ziplock bags, and water bottles, like the ones your child might use at school.
Use pretend food, modeling clay, or other items from around the house to practice packing containers for mealtime. Encourage opening and closing containers. Practice using the containers carefully.
Show how to ask for help by saying, “Can you help me?” “I need help opening the bottle, please.”

Weaving and lacing

Weave yarn, ribbons, streamers, or even scarves, through the basket.
Weave alongside your child. Show how to use fingers to pull the yarn and ribbons over and under the loops of the basket. It’s okay if it doesn’t look neat! Weaving is good practice for skills like lacing shoes.

Velcro stick building

Put 2 or 3 velcro stickers on different parts of the craft sticks.
Stick and pull apart the velcro to build and design with craft sticks.

Everyday Interactions

Let your child practice everyday tasks to take care of themselves. This can happen when you have time or just for fun during a slow part of the day. At meals, let your child open containers and feed themself. Before going outside, they can practice zipping their jacket and putting on shoes.

These skills take time and practice. It’s okay if you help, especially when you are in a hurry. Practicing when things are calm helps children be more confident and independent.

Ways to Support Your Child

“Show me what you can do, then I will help you with the next steps.”

When a child says they can't do something, ask them to try a small part first. For example, they can hold their backpack open, while you pull out their lunchbox.

“Can you help me zip this all the way?”

Sometimes the hardest part is starting, like lining up the zipper or loosening a tight lid. You can start it for them, and they can finish the rest.

“Let's have a snack! Would you like to open a bag or pout water in the cup?”

For children who want to do everything on their own even if it's too hard, offer a choice of tasks they can handle.

Just for the grown-ups

It can be hard to watch a young child struggle with a task. Focus on your own task while they try. When you wait before jumping in to help, you are practicing patience, too!