Promoting Children's Self-Esteem and Safety

Self-Help Skills Development

• Four main types of self-help skills: self-feeding, independent dressing and grooming, hygiene and toileting, and helping with daily chores

Age-Appropriate Self-Help Skills

• Babies to Crawlers (6-12 months):
  • Put clothes in the laundry basket
  • Clean face with a napkin
  • Eat finger foods on their own
  • Begin to use a fork
• 12-18 months:
  • Continue to work on above tasks
  • Imitate adults when holding toothbrush in their mouth
  • Begin trying to undress (take socks off, take shoes off, and pull down pants)
  • Imitate brushing hair
  • Start to play alone (even with an adult in the room)
• 18 months-2 years old:
  • Continue to work on above tasks
  • Begin to pull up pants or shorts (mostly sweatpants or leggings)
  • Pull down a zipper
  • Keep shoes away in the correct location
  • Mimic adults in using a napkin to clean up spills
  • Bring child bowl or plate and put in the sink
  • Play alone between 15-30 minutes
• 3 years old:
  • Continue to master skills above
  • Dress themselves (it's okay if shirt or pants are backward)
  • Get a snack from the pantry (keep child snacks low for easy reach)
  • Use a napkin to wipe their face
  • Put clothes in a laundry basket
  • Take shoes off
  • Be able to put their own plate in the sink (use plastic ones)
• 4 years old:
  • Continue to master skills above
  • Put pajamas on correctly
  • Choose clothes for the next day
  • Brush teeth (with adult supervision)

Understanding Child Development

• There is a spectrum of what is typical in child development socially, emotionally, academically, and physically
• Variations in development can be permanent, forming a child's unique profile, or evolving and subject to change
• Parenting styles and environment influence a child's behavior and development

Promoting Independence

• Allow children to be around peers
• Give them freedom to do things they want to do by themselves
• Make adjustments to family routines to avoid confusion and many adjustments at home and in school
• Allow children to enjoy the same privileges as their peers
• Be friendly and hospitable when hosting other children
• Encourage children to invite friends to meals and serve food they like

Children's Self-Esteem and Self-Concept

• A child's self-concept begins to emerge at around one year old
• Warm and caring interactions between parents and caregivers help nurture a positive emotional attachment with an infant
• A child's healthy self-concept is aided by this strong emotional link with parents and caregivers
• A positive self-image develops as the child matures and is crucial for attempting new things and striving for achievement

Fostering Self-Esteem and Self-Concept

• Difficulty sharing: children engage in parallel play before preschool age, and sharing is understood around age 3
• Regression: stress can cause preschoolers to revert to old habits they've outgrown, such as thumb sucking
• Ignore manifestations of stress, as calling attention to them causes more stress

Evaluating One's Action Through Decision-Making Process

• Consistency in decision-making is essential for gaining a child's respect and appreciation
• Involve children in decision-making processes, especially those that affect them
• Establish a trusting relationship to ensure children can express themselves openly
• Advocacy can be used to represent children's perspectives