Life skills teach preschoolers how to handle tasks themselves. The growing independence and the desire to learn skills makes preschool an ideal time to begin teaching basic life skills, such as personal hygiene, safety, cooking, friendships and money management. Starting early gives the children plenty of time to practice the skills to achieve mastery by the time they need to apply the skills. Preschool life skills activities work well in a preschool classroom or at home for reinforcement.
Step 1
Evaluate your preschooler's current life skills and areas that need improvement. Each child develops differently so customizing the life skills activities makes them more effective. List specific life skills goals for the child to help plan teaching activities.
Step 2
Practice basic hygiene tasks with your child, encouraging her to try on her own. Help as needed to avoid frustration, but try to allow your preschooler to complete the tasks on her own, even if it gets messy. Practice getting dressed, washing hands, brushing teeth, washing in the bath and picking up her bedroom.
Step 3
Outline basic tasks for your preschooler to complete with a chore chart to encourage responsibility. Use stickers to mark the completed tasks. Assign tasks he is able to complete, such as picking up his toys, emptying his trash can, setting the table and dusting low areas in the home.
Step 4
Role play life skills situations during play time. Play house to practice parenting skills or play dress up to take on different roles.
Step 5
Plan food menus with your preschooler to teach about basic nutrition and planning. Grocery shop with your preschooler to teach the basics of shopping and using money wisely. Talk about the purchases as you go through the store. For example, you might discuss buying one brand over the other to save money or a lower-fat product to make a healthier dish.
Step 6
Cook with your child, using real food and cooking utensils. Allow your child to help with snacks and meal preparation, assigning her simple tasks that keep her safe in the kitchen. Include her in the cleanup process so she gets in the habit of following through.
Step 7
Give your child an allowance to help teach basic money management. Provide two piggy banks, one for savings and one for spending money. Have your child divide each allowance between the two banks so he learns the importance of saving at a young age.
Step 8
Watch for everyday teaching moments that allow you to practice life skills with your preschooler. Instead of doing a task for the child, let him try something new himself.
Tips and Warnings
- Provide positive reinforcement as your preschooler learns new life skills. Avoid criticizing or punishing a child if she fails to complete a life skill activity.
