Why is it important?

• Supports Independence in Daily Routines

• • Self-care skills, or Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as dressing, toileting, eating, and hygiene, enable children to participate in school and home routines independently.

  • Mastery of self-care tasks fosters a sense of autonomy, efficacy and confidence in students.

• Enhances Readiness for Learning

• • When children struggle with self-care, they may be frustrated, distracted, uncomfortable, or anxious, making it harder to focus on academic tasks.

  • Supporting self-care skills (e.g., ensuring a child is properly dressed for weather changes or has eaten a meal) sets the foundation for active classroom participation.

• Promotes Health and Well-Being

• • • Developing self-care habits like proper hygiene, healthy eating, and adequate sleep contributes to overall physical and mental health.

    • Good self-care routines help prevent illness, improve energy levels, and support emotional regulation.

• Encourages Social Participation and Confidence

• • • Children who struggle with self-care may experience embarrassment or social isolation (e.g., difficulty managing clothing fasteners, poor hygiene, or eating challenges).

    • Supporting self-care skills in school helps children engage with peers confidently and comfortably.

• Reduces Stress for Teachers and Caregivers

• • • When students can independently manage basic self-care tasks, teachers can focus more on instruction rather than assisting with personal care needs.

    • Encouraging self-care skills at school reinforces routines established at home, promoting consistency and reducing caregiver stress.

• Builds Foundations Skills for Future Success

• • • Self-care skills are essential for long-term independence and successful transitions into adolescence and adulthood.

    • OT interventions help children develop adaptive strategies, modifications, or accommodations to overcome challenges in self-care (e.g., provision of visual aids, timers,  or adaptive tools)

**For significant sensory processing difficulties, please refer occupational therapy services for primary treatment approaches.

Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process-Fourth Edition. (2020). The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 74(Supplement_2), 7412410010p1–7412410010p87. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001