Domain: NC Foundations for Early Learning: Health and Physical Development (HPD)

Subdomain: Self-Care

Goal: Children develop independence in caring for themselves and their environment.

Skill Progression: Self-care

Age: 18-21 Months

Click here to go to all skills for ages 18-21 Months.

Observe the child during self-care routines in the bathroom.

The adult prompts the child to do each of the bathroom tasks. When needed, adult wipes the child’s nose.

Independently puts soap on hands, rubs together, and rinses them, then dries them on a towel.

Encourage early childhood educators and parents to involve children in all self-care tasks, including tooth brushing, dressing, hand washing, nose wiping, and bathing. Children want to do things by themselves; so let them do what they can. Let them add the last step to household task, such as pouring in laundry detergent or pushing the vacuum cleaner button.