by Natasha Boskic
Adaptive (Self-Help) Development: How Development in the Early Years Affects Development in the Elementary School Years1
Adaptive skills relate to daily habits and routines. The adaptive or self-help skills that children develop in the early years are essential in their overall development during the elementary and high-school years. Developing these skills is important for children because they may influence a person’s quality of life. Here are a few examples:
- Sleeping: Children whose sleeping needs were met in the early years have a better chance of having a good sleeping routine every night (e.g., bedtime story, bath) by the time they begin elementary school. Unless they are dealing with a health or developmental condition that makes it hard for them to self-regulate at night, children generally learn to self-soothe or require of less one-to-one time with their parents if and when they become restless during the night.
- Toilet-training: Children who were toilet trained when they were ready generally become independent bathroom users who can usually use the school bathrooms without unnecessary fears.
- Feeding: Young children who were given some freedom in terms of their eating habits (for example, tasting different foods and eating a full meal if and when hungry) are generally ready to try new food as they grow older.
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