LIFE SKILLS BEGIN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
JAN 27, 2026
A child begins to live independently the moment the umbilical cord is cut, and they take their first breath. From that point onward, parents are responsible for guiding their child to reach their highest potential. They must teach their child how to navigate daily life and develop a sustainable, independent adult lifestyle.
In addition to fostering independence in your child, you will also benefit from extra help around the house. As busy parents, don’t fall into the trap of doing all the household chores yourself just because it might be quicker. Avoid the common pitfalls of chore competition and instead encourage your child to develop independent skills by implementing the Simple 7.
It’s important to lay the groundwork for independence early on, using the Simple 7 living skills. This approach is effective for all children, including those with developmental delays or high-functioning disabilities. Start “working out” your child’s independent abilities in the laundry room as soon as they can distinguish between white and dark colors. If your child can flip a light switch or swipe across an iPad, they can also operate a mini vacuum to clean up small messes. Here are the Simple 7 tasks you can use:
1. Sort Laundry: Have your child sort whites into one basket and colors into another.
Skills targeted: Color identification, sorting, organizing, focus, and memory.
2. Match Socks: This enjoyable task helps identify and reinforce size, color, pairing, and family identification by matching and sorting clean socks.
Skills targeted: Memory building, basic math, classifying, and focus.
3. Grocery List Making: Your child knows what they like to eat. Encourage them to open the refrigerator and cabinets to check which items need to be bought and added to the shopping list.
Skills targeted: Preparation, organizing, basic budgeting, counting, and planning.
4. Unpack Groceries: Place unbreakable bagged groceries on the kitchen floor and have your child sort items into those going into the refrigerator or pantry.
Skills targeted: Classifying, sorting, organizing, and fine & gross motor skills.
5. Empty the Dishwasher: Have your child remove the cutlery caddy from the dishwasher and match and sort utensils directly into the drawer.
Skills targeted: Sorting, organizing, focusing, memory, and fine motor skills.
6. Sort Recyclables: Assign different colored containers for sorting recyclables and trash. Teach children to sort glass, paper, and other recyclables to help them develop a social consciousness about the environment.
Skills targeted: Classifying, sorting, organizing, recycling, concentration, and environmental awareness.
7. Vacuming: Bright, shiny red handheld mini vacuums with easy-to-push buttons promote engagement. Your child can “suck up” messy, crushed cereal or pretzel crumbs from the floor with a simple press of a button and back-and-forth motion.
Skills addressed: Fine and large motor skills, responsibility, and independence.
