This Life Skills Program for Preschoolers was developed to empower preschool educators with the knowledge and tools to support the development of essential life skills in young children. By focusing on age-appropriate developmental milestones, this program provides those with strategies to foster independence and foundational skills in their classrooms. 

This program's mission is to equip educators with the knowledge, strategies, and resources needed to foster the development of essential life skills in preschool-aged children. By empowering teachers with evidence-based practices, we strive to create an environment where young children can build independence, confidence, and readiness for their future. 

This website provides resources, guidance, and support for teachers. It includes information about developmental milestones, techniques to use, materials to implement in your classrooms, parent handouts,  and extra educational handouts. Each section has handouts that are available to click on and print if needed. 

Life Skills for Preschoolers is a newly developed program that is rooted in passion. My name is Gabby Renelt, a doctoral occupational therapy student from the University of Mary, graduating in April 2025. 

Through working with children for 7+ years and my education in occupational therapy, I developed an overarching love and passion for pediatrics. More specifically, I developed a passion for encouraging independence in young children. 

Having worked in a preschool center previously, I understood the important role that early childhood educators play in promoting independence in life skills. This program aimed to equip the teachers with hands-on strategies and resources to use and integrate into their daily classroom to support independence in life skills. 

My occupational therapy background has given me in-depth knowledge related to developmental milestones, motor skill progression, and many other areas of pediatrics. Through this program, I strived to translate my clinical knowledge into accessible, classroom-friendly techniques that ensured educators could identify delays, have access to appropriate interventions, and create a positive learning environment to support independence. 

With my ultimate goal of helping preschoolers gain independence in life skills, I knew that it does not just take place in the classroom and must be reinforced in the home setting. Through this program, I sought to provide parent handouts that teachers had at their fingertips. This was done to ensure that families felt empowered and supported in promoting independence in everyday routines in their home environment. Through this, it strengthens the continuity of learning and helps children grow the skills needed to be independent in multiple settings. 

I hope this website can be used as a resource to create a meaningful opportunity for increased independence in life skills for young children.