Back
Teaching independence: small steps every day
Independence doesn't appear on its own — it's built from tiny daily victories.
Short answer
Children with Down syndrome successfully master everyday skills when each skill is broken into small steps and they get enough time. The rule: help exactly as much as needed, and gradually remove the help.
What you can do
- Pick one skill per month: e.g. taking off socks or washing hands.
- Break it into steps and teach one at a time, starting with the last (so your child always 'finishes' successfully).
- Allow more time than feels natural: rushing and doing things 'for' the child are the main enemies of independence.
- Record successes in the diary — in a month you'll be surprised by the progress.
- Praise the attempt to do it alone, not the perfect result.
Source: Step-by-step life skills teaching method