Self-care skills like these are crucial for preschoolers' independence. Toilet training often begins around this age, with most children mastering it by 3-4 years.
Establishing consistent sleep routines helps ensure adequate rest. Dressing and undressing become easier as fine motor skills improve. Bath time and washing hands teach hygiene, and grooming habits like brushing teeth and hair care start to form. Patience and positive encouragement are key when teaching these self-care routines.
Research shows that getting enough sleep is extremely important for your child’s development and brain function. Getting your child to go to sleep and stay asleep is often one of the most difficult tasks for a parent, and there are many different opinions about the best ways to do this. We do not support one method over another, but recommend that parents find the method that they feel most comfortable with, and that fits their child and family.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with trying to get your child to sleep, you can talk with your doctor, an Infant Development Consultant, a public health nurse, an occupational therapist, or another health professional in the community.
It is extremely important for children to have their teeth brushed twice per day, using a small dab of fluoride toothpaste. If your child wants to brush his own teeth, he should be encouraged to try. However, children under 6 years of age should have an adult finish the job to make sure his teeth are cleaned well. If you have specific questions about how to brush your child’s teeth, please talk to your dentist or another dental health professional.
Many children find it uncomfortable to have their teeth brushed. Try some of the following strategies to make toothbrushing time more relaxing:
If you are overwhelmed trying to get your child to brush her teeth, you may want to talk to a dental health professional.
All of the milestone information has been adapted with permission from the Children's Therapy and Family Resource Centre.