Self-care are critical tasks that children learn throughout their developmental ages. These tasks refer to dressing, feeding, toileting, and hygiene skills. Self-care tasks are critical for everyday life activities and school-readiness. Occupational therapy clinicians can help promote ADL tasks throughout development.
Dressing:
12 months:
- Cooperates with dressing by putting arms or legs out
1-2 years:
- Removes socks and shoes (without laces)
- Pushes arms and legs through sleeves or pants
2-3 years:
- Unbuttons large buttons
- Assists to take off pants/shirt
3-4 years:
- Able to get undressed independently
- Requires assistance with laces, buttons, zippers
4-5 years:
- Chooses weather-appropriate clothes
- Zips a zipper
5-6 years:
- Dresses independently
- Puts shoes on the correct feet
- Begins to learn how to tie shoes
Ideas to promote dressing skills:
- For complex tasks such as buttons, and zips, practicing fine motor skills such as threading beads and putting coins in a piggy bank can help develop these skills
- Use opportunities throughout the day such as putting on/off shoes when coming back inside and going outside to promote dressing skills
Feeding:
0-3 months:
- Sucks and swallows well
- Coordinated suck, swallow, and breathing sequences
- Liquids only
3-6 months:
- Shows interest in food
- Opens mouth for a spoon
- Begins to eat smooth pureed food
6-12 months:
- Tolerates a range of foods of different textures
- Holds and drinks from a cup or bottle
- Finger feeds themselves
- Begins to drink from an open cup
1-2 years:
- Able to feed themselves with a spoon
- Holds and drinks from an open cup
- Shows clear likes & dislikes of foods
2-3 years:
- Able to feed themselves with utensils
- Wipes own mouth & hands
Ideas to promote feeding skills:
- Ensure the head, neck, and trunk are supported and maintain good posture when feeding (feet flat on the floor, neutral spine, arms at side, and chin parallel to floor)
- Introduce new food tastes around 3-6 months
- Work on self-feeding skills during playtime by using spoons and utensils during pretend play
Toileting:
2-3 years
- Uses toilet with assistance (wiping & clothes)
- Able to use the toilet during the day with few accidents
- Needs reminders or diapers at nighttime
3-4 years:
- Able to use the bathroom during the day with no accidents
- May wear diapers at night
4-5 years:
- Has complete daytime control for both urination and bowel movements
5-7 years:
- Develops complete nighttime control for both urination and bowel movements.
Ideas to promote toileting skills:
- Routine is important: use a chart/reward system to motivate the child to follow a routine
- Use a secure stool for resting feet and getting off/on toilet
Hygiene skills:
2-3 years:
- Uses a napkin to wipe face & hands
3-4 years:
- Can wash & dry own hands
- Attempts to brush teeth
4-5 years:
- Able to wash most body parts independently except for hair
5-6 years:
- Brushes teeth independently
6-8 years:
- Showers independently
Ideas to promote hygiene skills:
- Make bath times fun by incorporating music and bath toys
- Incorporate showering/brushing teeth into pretend play
- Use a visual schedule to indicate steps for showering, brushing teeth, and handing hands
