Daily Living Skills

Self-care and daily living skills involve the ability to care for one’s own needs, thereby facilitating independent living across a range of contexts, such as the school, home, and community. The following functions are commonly included within this skill set: self-feeding, drinking, dressing, bathing, grooming (i.e., tooth brushing, combing hair, nail trimming), and toileting. Other important self-care and daily living skills are proper sleep hygiene, participation in leisure and play activities, social communication, and safety awareness. Self-care and daily living skills are important because they enable a child to achieve maximal independence and success in their everyday life, which can in turn instill a sense of confidence and self-efficacy.