Activities to Nurture Independence in Preschoolers

1. Picking out clothes. This is a great activity to do at night before bed, especially if the morning is busy. You can also have children pick out clothes for the whole week on Sunday. Fashion battles may happen, but it’s a good learning experience for everyone.

2. Getting themselves dressed. Learning to buckle buckles, zip zippers and button buttons is important for independence!

3. Preparing breakfast or lunch. Mornings are busy in most households. Help your preschooler learn an easy breakfast routine that can help them build their independence and help you steal a few more minutes.

4. Setting table or cleaning up the table after a meal. Giving the kids a role in the family meal is not only great for building independence, but it also models the value of everyone pitching in with chores.

5. Putting away toys. This can be made into a game. The more it is done, the easier it gets.

6. Cleaning room – making bed, dusting, putting away laundry. There are lots of chores that kids can help do.

7. Putting away coats, shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes when entering the house. This helps keep everyone's space organized and develops good habits.

8. Taking care of a pet. Feeding the dog/cat/fish, filling water bowls or cleaning fish bowls, walking the dog, giving pets a bath – there are so many responsibilities that preschoolers can take on when caring for a pet. An added benefit is that they learn about compassion and caring for others.