1. Help your child organize his/her room so that everything has an orderly storage place, which can be easily reached by the child. Try low shelves with a separate and distinct place for every toy and activity. Consider rotating to simplify choices and renew interest.
    Additional Ideas: a full-length mirror, a calendar and a bulletin board.
  2. Try low bars and hooks in the closet and low drawers for clothing so your child can be independent. Allow your child to choose and organize clothing to be worn each day. Encourage your child to dress himself.
  3. Arrange bathroom facilities for the child’s easy access: a sturdy platform by sink and toilet, low hooks for towels, reachable shelves for toothbrush, etc. A night-light and light switch extender are also helpful additions.
  4. A small pitcher of water or juice on a low shelf in the refrigerator and a low cupboard with cups (paper or otherwise) will enable your child to help himself. Consider designating “anytime snacks” (carrots, celery sticks, grapes, etc.) to keep in a special container on a low shelf.
  5. Consider creating a child’s corner in every room so the child will have a space to carry out his activities while still being near other family members.
  6. Consider a low bed so your child may easily get in and out of bed. In this way, your child may follow his own rhythms, sleeping when tired, or quietly entertaining himself in his room.
  7. For young children, use a playpen sparingly, if at all. Instead, childproof your house and let your child roam.
  8. Encourage your child to assist you in simple and meaningful chores (pet care, window washing, silver polishing, mirror cleaning, sidewalk sweeping or scrubbing, dishwashing, loading the dishwasher, setting the table, clearing the dirty dishes to designated bin, etc.).
  9. Is there a potential garden spot in your yard where the child might assume the responsibility for some plants? … Or perhaps a potted plant or two in the child’s room?
  10. Take time for training (whenever possible, in advance of the need). Have child-sized cleaning supplies (broom, dustpan, mop, sponges) accessible and teach children their use so they can clean up their own spills and help with routine cleaning.
  11. When demonstrating a task for your child, move very slowly, showing him step by step, using as few words as possible. Treat the clean up portion of the demonstration with equal importance -- it’s part of the process too!
  12. Simplify outings you have planned with your child. Avoid over-stimulating. Whenever possible, move at the pace of the child.
  13. Limit TV watching for your kids and then watch with them.
  14. Read to your child – even after he can read to himself.
  15. Remember that you are a model for your child at all times. They will be watching you and learning from what you do, not say, so act as you want them to act.
  16. Remember the child’s sensitive period for the acquisition of language. Avoid talking baby talk or talking “down” to your child. Use a rich variety of vocabulary and proper pronunciations.
  17. Be aware of the different “levels” of knowledge. Avoid putting your child in a “test” situation before he is ready.
  18. Foster a “friendly feeling toward error.” Make no fuss over accidents, spills or mistakes. Instead, focus on the solution – whatever needs to be done to fix the problem. After all, what is more important, a broken pitcher or a child’s self-esteem?
  19. When speaking with your child, keep in mind that communication is not just the works you choose. Communication is a combination of your words, your body language, and your tone of voice.