SENIM CONFERENCE LIFE SKILLS By Lin

What are practical life activities?  Simple activities which adults perform daily in order to maintain and control the environment in which they live and work in  Exercises that are designed to teach children life skills.  To adults, activities have a purpose and is a means to an end. The end result is more important than the process, which is often hurried. To a child, the process is more important.  Activities that are not only relate to the physical environment but also to the social/cultural. They are real activities not make believe.

Why is it important ?  Concentration  Coordination  Independence/Self Reliance  Self Discipline  Order

It also helps children to master  Increasingly challenging and developmentally appropriate tasks & situations  Leads them toward the care of self and of the social community within which the live in

Four areas in Practical Life : Exercises for the development of motor skills Exercises for the care of the environment Exercises for the care of self Exercises of grace & courtesy

Exercises for the development of motor skills  Helps the child in the development of coordination, fine/gross motor skills and dexterity  Helps the child to be independent and self reliance

Exercises for the development of motor skills Dry Pouring : Jug to jug Jug to two cups Jug to even containers/uneven containers Wet pouring : Jug To jug Jug to two cups Jug to even containers/uneven containers Spooning : Bowl to bowl Bowl to two containers Transferring : Using tongs Tweezer Eye dropper Chopsticks toothpicks

Exercises for the development of motor skills  Rolling & unrolling of socks  Rolling & unrolling of floor mat  Rolling & unrolling of table mat  Carrying an empty tray  Carrying a tray with one object/or more  Threading  Snipping/Cutting

Exercises for the care of environment  Helps the child to be aware of the state of his/her environment  Helps to inculcate the sense of responsibility of taking care of his/her environment  Helps the child to have the ‘know how’ of doing and taking care of his/her environment

Exercise for the Care of Environment  Cleaning  Sweeping  Wiping  Mopping  Flower arrangement  Gardening  Washing clothes  Polishing  Scrubbing of tables

Exercises for the care of self  Helps the child to be independent in taking care of himself in order to gain personal freedom  Reduces dependence on adult’s help  Helps develop his dexterity and coordination while encouraging his feeling of order

Exercises for the care of self  Changing Shoes  Dressing frames; Zip, Velcro, Buttons, Press Studs, Hook & Eye, Buckling, Bow Tying, Lacing  Polishing Shoes & Folding Clothes  Blowing Nose & Coughing  Care of Teeth, Nails, & Hair

Exercise for the care of self  Washing of hands  Washing of face  Washing of mouth  Folding own clothes/napkins  Combing / brushing of hair  Putting on & Taking off shoes  Blowing of nose  Dressing and undressing  Toileting