Independent self-care skills are crucial for 5-year-olds for a variety of reasons that contribute to their overall development and well-being. Here are several examples of essential independent skills:

1. Personal Hygiene: Understanding how to keep one's body healthy, such as brushing teeth and washing hands after using a restroom.

2. Dressing: Choosing appropriate clothing for different weather and dressing oneself independently.

3. Nutrition: Understanding the basics of healthy eating and mealtime routines, such as sitting at a table to eat and and being able clean up afterwards.

4. Household Tasks: Completing chores that benefit themselves and their family unit as a whole; such as making the bed and folding laundry.

5. Time Management: Completing daily tasks, such as getting ready in the morning and following routines as well as listening to adults and following directions.

6. Emotional Regulation: Recognizing one’s own feelings and expressing them appropriately, such as asking for help when frustrated.

7. Safety Awareness: Understanding basic safety rules, such as looking both ways before walking across the street.

8. Social Skills: Developing the ability to interact positively with others, including sharing, taking turns, and communicating needs. Being able to engage in conversations and play appropriately without the use of technology.

Listed below are independent life skills that students are expected to have mastered before entering kindergarten:

(See "Tips to Guide Students Towards Their Greatest Success" section for resources and suggestions on how to help prepare your child in specific areas.)

• Accepting undesireable responses (such as "no, not yet, wait")

• Buckling/unbuckling a seatbelt

• Eating meals while being seated

• Hand washing

• Knowing first and last name

• Opening/closing car doors

• Opening food packages

• Participating in activities without technology

• Zipping/unzipping and buttoning/unbuttoning clothing