INDEPENDENCE THROUGH CARING FOR SELF

ACTIVITIES
- CHECKLIST

Here is a checklist of items to provide support for your child’s developing independence through
caring for self activities.

Note, all items need to be an appropriate size to fit your child’s little hands and of a weight
that’s just enough to provide some neural feedback for developing proprioception and strength.

THE CHECKLIST:

An Independence Stool (or two) to use for dressing and undressing. Placing one in
the bedroom and one in the bathroom, or just outside the bathroom if it is a smaller,
shared space is very handy.
Independence steps (once again you may need more than one set) For the bathroom
bench and one in the kitchen area (ready for your child to help prepare simple food.)
A low shelf for your child’s clothing choices: Storage options might include either the
use a tray, drawer, cube box, knob with clothes hangers or a wardrobe rod.
A wardrobe or chest of drawers where you store other clothing items.
A toddler’s table - for placement of a clothing item onto for ease of dressing self:
shirt, blouse, dress, sweater or jacket.
A full-length mirror.

A teeth brushing set.

A small Hairbrush.
A small Tissue Box.
Toddler’s independence steps.
A low bed – you can use your child’s low bed instead of a child’s table for the
placement of clothing in preparation for dressing.
A Potty with a low stool positioned nearby with a basket of underwear to the side
for dressing.
A shoe rack.
UNDERSTANDING LIMITED CHOICE

During the 10 month to 3 years age and stage of development your toddler is able to manage
a choice of two items. Provide only two with weather conditions influencing what you make
available:

2x sets of under clothing

2x shorts - leggings or long trousers
2x t-shirts or long sleeve shirt
2x jackets
2x sock
2 x shoes
2 x hats

Purchase the number of clothing items that you prefer although at this stage, you’ll quickly
discover less is more, and store them in a place that only you can access.

HELPING YOUR CHILD

You place the selection of 2 x clothes out for your toddler.

You’re likely to find the dressing goes more smoothly when you place clothing choices
out in the evening after your child has gone to sleep.
Shoe choices can be placed on a shoe rack by an entry door to your home.
Clothing style should offer a progressive to assist your child develop dressing skills.

Enable an easy means of recognition for choice and dressing.

Begin with plain colours with a realistic motif or feature on the front of the pieces
of clothing.
Progress to patterned fabrics when your toddler has develop initial
dressing skills.
As you collaborate in dres sing
be sure to name your child’s clothing choices, placement of clothing for
dressing, parts of his body, daily routines and the share many sequences
involved in dressing. These provide your child contextual or ‘real life’
opportunities for sensory, language, fine and gross motor development.