In the first few years of life, children learn many things, some good and some bad. So why not help them to form good habits when it comes to self care? Start with a morning or nighttime routines to model appropriate steps to take care of themselves for the day and before bed. I’ve included a free printable at the end of this post to help you get started on setting up these routines.
What does self care mean for toddlers and why is it important to teach these skills? For starters, self care and good hygiene is essential for a healthy and prosperous life. Teaching toddlers to complete their own self care with a little guidance will instill confidence in them and give you some time back for your own self care. An analogy I heard recently that resonates with me is: think of a butterfly exiting their cocoon, the butterfly is struggling and you want to help. Did you know if you help that butterfly, it will kill them? They have to go through the struggle to grow strong and develop skills. While doing things for your children won’t have such a drastic outcome, it can stunt their development.
Here are some self care habits and routines you can easily begin teaching your toddler today:
1. Handwashing Habits
Why it is important: this one is a no brainer, germs! Kids touch many surfaces and then put their fingers in their mouth. No wonder they are always sick. Make sure to make washing hands a routine to follow before eating, after using the bathroom/changing diapers, and after outings. Additional handwashing can be used as appropriate. Getting your child use to washing their hands at certain intervals with decrease tantrums surrounding washing hands. They know it’s expected already.
How to explain its importance: begin by explaining germs. Explain that germs cause us to get sick, you can make a game out of washing your hands or use pictures to illustrate the mean germs making us sick.
How to make it fun: get your child’s hands really dirty. Use actual dirt or create a green slime to rub on their hands. Then, have them practice getting all of the dirt or goo off of their hands. Don’t do it for them, but offer tips such as “remember to wash between your fingers.” If you are still getting resistance, consider purchasing a fun soap dispenser or let them pick a sticker to put on the soap dispenser.
2. Brushing Teeth Together
Why it is important: regular brushing and flossing keeps your dentist bill and visits at bay. Not only does good dental hygiene help reduce tooth decay, but also keeps their breath smelling fresh. Create healthy habits while they still have their baby teeth, so they can appropriately care for their adult teeth when they come in.
How to explain its importance: a trip to the dentist to have the dentist explain the importance is always helpful (just make sure you find a kid friendly dentist first!) Play Doh also makes a dentist set that can be used to show cavities and how the dentist might remove them. Much to my dismay, my daughter loves this dentist set. Melissa and Doug also have a dentist play kit that is another favorite of my daughters.
How to make it fun: brush your teeth together, sing a teeth brushing song, and involve them in choosing. Brushing your teeth together can help demonstrate how to do so properly. Make up a teeth brushing song and take turns brushing as the others sing (the Mrs. Rachel brush your teeth song is our favorite!) Toddlers love feeling in control of their world, give them choices when it comes to toothpaste and a toothbrush.
3. Getting Dressed
Why it is important: showing your child how to dress themselves will definitely pay off in the future. Explaining the importance of choosing weather appropriate clothing will also help them make smart choices. In their typical day, they don’t get to make all of the choices they may want to make, so let this be one they take the lead on.
How to explain its importance: this is one that I have explained with few words, and more so with letting my daughter experience discomfort. You don’t want to wear a jacket when it’s cold outside? Ok, don’t wear one. They’ll work out on their own why this is important. Of course, don’t cause physical harm by not putting winter clothing on them in extreme temperatures, but within reason where you see fit. Grab the jacket and have it available for them when they want it.
How to make it fun: let them choose appropriate outfits. Does it not match or look the most stylish? Who cares, they’re kids and they’re learning. They will look cute no matter what anyway. Play dress up to help them practice putting on clothes.
4. Putting Away Toys
Why it is important: with my oldest, I got into a bad habit of cleaning up her toys for her. Even when she would help, I’d do the bulk of the work. Now, as a preschooler, she’s will help clean, but doesn’t like to do it independently. Teach them to clean up their messes when they are young to guide them towards good cleanliness habits as they age.
How to explain its importance: explain that someone could get hurt or toys could get lost if not properly put away. If all else fails, consider the toy fairy disappearing toys that haven’t been cleaned up. If there is constantly a considerable mess, consider decluttering and rotating toys.
How to make it fun: kids love to race and be timed. Set up buckets and see who can put away the most in the least amount of time. Also try a reward chart for cleaning up. Sing the clean up song or make one up. Have a dance and clean party. There are many ways to involve kids and make it fun.
5. Feeding Themselves Healthy Foods
Why it is important: teaching independence from a young age is vital to both development and confidence. Let your little one explore their food and add some forks and spoons in to help them learn.
How to explain its importance: this one they will also learn on their own. It is likely that your child loves at least some sort of food (if not all food.) I’ve begun the conversation with my own kids by talking about healthy foods and healthy choices. Of course we can indulge every once in a while, but not every single meal.
How to make it fun: I love making food fun. Try a colored dinner: all green foods or as many colors as you can. Try a themed dinner made after their favorite show or movie. I personally love to eat food from other cultures and try new flavors, maybe your child will like that too. When trying new foods and guiding your child to eat on their own, try to put at least one item on their plate per meal that you know they like. Don’t offer seconds of this item, but let them know they need to try the rest of the plate first (this goes better as they get older.)
6. Brushing Hair
Why it is important: it’s important to keep up on brushing hair to avoid tangles and tears. Brushing also helps promote healthy hair growth.
How to explain its importance: let them know that when hair doesn’t get brushed properly it gets tangled and it can sometimes hurt. Show them with a doll and have them try to comb out tangles to see how difficult it is.
How to make it fun: making brushing hair fun can be challenging, especially for kids sensitive scalps. Try purchasing some hair accessories, combs/brushes with their favorite animals, or hair products that smell good. Coaxing a toddler into letting you brush their hair does get easier as they get older. For now, try your best to keep up on getting the tangles out.
7. Helping with Simple Chores
Why it’s important: establishing routines and letting children help with simple chore gives them confidence and more motivation to help. Have them help now while they still want to, whether they complete the task perfectly or not.
How to explain its importance: explain that we have to keep the house clean so that we all stay healthy. We have to put laundry away so we have clean clothes. Ask them if they can think of any chores they’d like to help with that they find important – their answer may surprise you.
How to make it fun: most toddlers are happy to help. They can help pick up toys, throw away garbage, sweep/mop, and wipe surface, to name a few. My daughters love their Melissa and Doug broom set. It does actually function and works better for them than a big broom. If they made a mess, prompt them to clean it up before you swoop in and do it for them. Think of where you can implement routine such as them bringing their plate to the sink every night. If you have an older and more reluctant toddler, think about creating a chore chart.
8. Choosing Books at Bedtime
Why it’s important: winding down at bedtime as well as having a solid bedtime routine is essential for a smooth transition to sleep. Books can help signal that it’s time for bed because it is a nice quiet and relaxing activity. They also help teach our kids more vocabulary and numerous lessons in the storylines.
How to explain its importance: most kids will naturally like books; the catchy words and enticing pictures. However, if they are less than jazzed to be reading, find books that interest them or have characters or animals they already like. Reading to your kids is essential for story comprehension and helps them pick up on new words.
How to make it fun: purchase books with characters or themes they already like. If you’re not sure what that is, explore your local library together. To make bedtime less chaotic, only offer a few book choices at bed and switch them out every so often. Our two favorite bedtime books right now are Llama Llama Red Pajama and Goodnight Little Blue Truck.
9. Using the Potty
Why it is important: for older toddlers, potty training has either begun or will begin soon. My oldest potty trained at about two and a half years old. Potty training establishes good hygiene and the confidence of no more diapers.
How to explain its importance: explain that everyone uses the potty and it’s time for your child to be a big girl or boy and go on the potty now too.
How to make it fun: with my oldest, we tried many things. However, the thing that finally worked was when I told her, “if you go on the potty all weekend with no accidents, you can pick out any toy you want at the store.” After that she did much better and was fully potty trained within a matter of weeks. Others have had luck with charts or concepts such as the oh crap method. Do what works best for you and your family, but once you start, try to stick to one method for best results.
10. Practicing “Big Kid” Routines
Why it’s important: setting up routines and self care for their future self is always important. Letting them make choices and do tasks independently helps them to learn how to do the task and also establishes confidence which helps them grow their skills.
How to explain its importance: explain that we all have jobs to do and it’s important to learn how to help with self care tasks and with simple chores around the house. Create chore and routine charts (or print off the ones below) to give your child a guide.
How to make it fun: add in choices and characters that resonate with your child. Toddlers love to have a say in things and be independent. Lists and charts can serve as a guide and a game to see if they can complete everything on the list.
Final Thoughts
Toddlers are learning new things every single day. Why not aid in their learning and teach them the important life skills of how to care for themselves? Teaching them simple self care techniques also gains you time as a parent as they’ll learn quicker how to take care of themselves.
What sort of self care have you taught your toddler recently?
Printable
