Director’s Presentation

Working Together for the Education of the Whole Child

Self-Help SkillsPro-Social SkillsSelf-Regulation Skills

Types of Skills

Self-Help Skills also known as self-care skills are basic skills children need to participate in their daily activities of life. Self-Help Skills requires demonstration, assistance, and practiceChildren develop the ability to plan and sequence task performance, to organize the necessary materials, and to develop the refined physical control required to carry out daily tasks. (Stephens, 2007)

Self-Help Skills

Self-feedingIndependent dressing and groomingHygiene and toiletingHelping with daily chores like table setting and picking up toys. (Childcare, 2019)

Types of Self-Help Skills

Self-Help Skills

Classroom

At Home

Independent dressing and grooming- In the classroom, when we get ready to go outside , we have the children retrieve their jackets and put them on by themselves. We only offer assistance when they have attempted it on their own and ask for help.Helping with daily chores- In the classroom, we have a clean up time throughout the day. We encourage the children to pick up any toys or items that have been left out.

At home, to reinforce independent dressing and grooming, we encourage parents to let their children dress themselves with minimal assistance. Model how to pull up a sock or pants, and then let them try to do the same thing on their own.At home, to reinforce helping with daily chores, we encourage you to have your child help in the clean up after a meal or pick up their own toys.

Strategies For Teaching Self-Help Skills

Classroom

At Home

Small steps-break down self-help skills into smaller steps and support through each step so they will do more for themselves in time. Establish Routine-keep the same routine each time you complete the same task to help them learn faster.Allow enough time-ensure there is enough time available for the child to participate in self-help activities without feeling rushed. (Kid Sense, 2019)

Encourage them to clean up after themselvesEncourage them to help set dinner tableCreate opportunities for play and learningDevelop self-help skills at an early age

https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/self-care/self-care-skills/

Self Help Parent Resource

Pro-Social skills are when children learn how to interact with their peers as well as their teachers. (Stephens, 2007)Children learn how to communicate, make decisions, share with others, and show respect.According to Wardle (2013), “parents, teachers, and caregivers need to be extremely careful that they use the power of modeling to teach pro-social behaviors and attitudes, rather than negative behaviors and self-destructive attitudes”.

Pro-Social Skills

Pro-Social Skills

Classroom

At Home

Teachable moments- In the classroom, when a child exhibits bad behavior, we will point out the behavior in private and ask them why they behaved this way. We validate their feelings and then state the classroom rule that was broken. We want them to think about other’s feelings and then we suggest a better reaction to the same situation.Learning social rules through peer responses- Working in groups is a great way to teach children how to behave around others and to empathize with each other. Group activities teach the children how to work together to achieve a common goal.

Using teachable moments at home is a great way to teach pro-social skills. When your child misbehaves and you need to address it, make sure to pull them aside and point out what they have done and ask them why they acted the way they did. Make sure to restate the rules of the house that apply to the behavior. Suggest an alternative to the way that they behaved for them to remember the next time they are in a similar situation.To reinforce learning social rules through peer responses at home, you could invite one of their friends over or even go to an event where your child may have friends or other children their age to play with. Even watching them play with the neighborhood kids and talking to them afterwards can be a great way for your child learn pro-social skills.

Strategies For Teaching Pro-Social Skills

Classroom

At Home

Encourage active play with peers and teachers.Allow one-on-one time (teacher and child).Be a good role model. (Cox, 2017)

Reinforce classroom rules of sharing, taking turns, and asking for helpWhen your child speaks listen attentively and let them know they are being heard

www.parenthelpline.org/Global-PDFs/Skill-Time-Booklet

Pro-Social Skills Parent Resource

“Self-regulation is a different sort of skill. It allow kids to manage their emotions, behavior, and body movement when they’re faced with a situation that’s thought to handle. And it allows them to do that while still staying focused and paying attention” (Morin, 2020).Self regulation skills can be learned through play, exploring nature, and interacting with peers (Wardle, 2013)

Self-Regulation Skills

Self-Regulation Skills

Classroom

At Home

Environment- Arrange the appropriate environments for the age group you are teaching. Everything should be organized and clearly labeled.Be Caring- Help children understand that your recognize their needs. This makes them feel important and helps them better handle strong emotions.(Morin, 2020)

Be Consistent- Children are aware of rules and when others break them, and they get confused when adults are not consistent in modeling the expressed behavior. Rewards- Reinforce good behavior with rewards. This will help them remember how to act in a similar situation. (Wardle, 2013)

Strategies for Teaching Self Regulation Skills

Classroom

At Home

Use literature or picture booksRole playPractice self-control gamesUse visual reminders (Morin, 2020)

Teach how to control emotionsCreate a space to calm downEncourage positive habits (Morin, 2020)

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/easy-ways-to-teach-your-child-to-self-regulate/

Self Regulation Skills Parent Resource

Milestones of Child Development: Learning and Development from Birth to Kindergarten- Virginia Department of Social Services. “provides a structural environment with opportunities for children to learn, and provide enriched language interactions with meaningful conversations and feedback to foster optimal development”. (Virginia Department of Social Services, 2013)https://dss.virginia.gov/files/division/cc/assistance/parents_guardians/milestones/milestones.pdf

Parent Guide for Teaching Self-Help, Pro-Social, and Self-Regulation Skills

Conclusion

Childcare. (2019). Ways to encourage self-help skills in children. Extension. Retrieved from https://childcare.extension.org/ways-to-encourage-self-help-skills-in-childrenCox, C. (2017). 3 ways teachers can help children learn pro-social behaviors. Choosy Kids. Retrieved from https://choosykids.comKid Sense. (2019). Self care skills. Retrieved from https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/self-care/self-care-skills

References

Morin, A. (2020) .Trouble with self-regulation: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/trouble-with-self-regulation-what-you-need-to-knowStephens, K. (2007). Self help skills and chores build children’s identity and confidence. Parenting Exchange. Retrieved from https://easternflorida.edu/community-resources/child-development-centers/parent-resource-;obraru/documents/self-help-skills-chores.pdfWardle, F. (2013) Collaboration with Families and Communities. [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu

References