For parents and carers

Developing Independence

As your Tiny Talker grows, they’ll start to assert their independence and want to “have a go” at tasks on their own — feeding themselves, putting on shoes, zipping a coat, using the toilet.

Encouraging every attempt matters. These are critical life skills that build confidence, support school readiness, and help your child feel proud of what they can do.

What independence builds

Confidence

Doing it themselves builds belief in their own ability — and being trusted to try makes them feel proud.

Problem solving

Small everyday tasks teach children to think things through, and that it’s OK not to get it right first time.

Resilience

Trying again teaches mistakes are part of learning — building the confidence to cope with new situations like school.

Self-care for school

Skills that help your child be school-ready

Being confident with self-care helps children feel more in control and safe when they start school. Four key skills to practise at home.

Coats, shoes and PE kits

Dressing and undressing

Practising dressing and undressing helps children when they go outside to play or get changed for PE. Start with the easy stuff — taking socks off — then move on to putting on simple clothes, shoes and coats with chunky zips or velcro. Once they’ve got the basics, add the trickier fasteners.

First line of defence

Hand washing

Good hand washing is the best defence against the spread of common bugs. Teach little ones to wash hands after the toilet, before eating, after coughing or sneezing, and after play — and you’re teaching them how to keep themselves healthy and safe.

A big milestone

Using the toilet

Children develop at their own pace, but research suggests it’s best for bowel and bladder health to stop using nappies — including pull-ups and training pants — between 18 and 30 months.

Being out of all nappies well before starting Reception/F2 isn’t just helpful for confidence — it means teachers can spend more time supporting your child’s learning. The only exception is a diagnosed medical need.

GETTING STARTED. Plenty of free resources can help you and your child take those first potty-training steps.

Coat pegs and drawers

Recognising their own name

Children typically begin recognising their own written name between 3 and 4 — an early step in literacy, identity and independence. At school it’ll help them find their coat peg, self-register for activities and find their drawer.