Growing Independence: What 4–5 Year Olds Can Do for Themselves

Appropriate self-care skills for a 4-5 year old

By the age of 4 to 5, children start to gain more independence, better coordination and stronger problem solving skills. What can we expect of a 4 to 5 year old in terms of self-care skills?

Self-care skills include:

• Personal hygiene

• Dressing/grooming

• Eating/mealtime skills

• Daily routines

• Chores/household participation

Personal hygiene

• Washing hands thoroughly (with soap – after using the toilet, before eating, after playing) 

• Brushing teeth independently (although they may still need supervision for technique, and making sure they get all their teeth!)

• Using the toilet without help (this includes wiping and flushing)

• Bathing/showering with supervision (they should be able to wash some body parts by themselves)

• Combing/brushing hair 

Dressing/grooming

• Dressing independently including: 

  • putting on/taking off shirts, pants and underwear. 

  • Putting on/taking off socks and shoes (with Velcro). 

  • Fastening buttons, snaps, zippers (although they may need some help with the trickier ones)

• Choosing weather appropriate clothing (tshirt in summer, jacket/jumper for winter)

Mealtime/Eating skills

• Using a fork, spoon and possibly a butter knife

• Pouring from a small container/jug or cup 

• Opening simple packaging and containers (chips/biscuit packet, taking lid off a lunchbox)

• Cleaning up after eating (throwing away rubbish/wrappers)

Daily routines

• Following a morning routine (use toilet, wash face, brush teeth, get dressed)

• Following a bedtime routine (shower/bath, change into pajamas, brush teeth, go toilet)

• Helping to pack a school bag

• Remembering basic personal belongings (jacket, hat, lunchbox)

Household participation/Chores

• Putting away toys

• Setting/clearing the table 

• Watering the plants 

 By ages 4–5, kids are learning to do more on their own, from dressing and brushing their teeth to helping out around the house. Every child develops at their own pace, so some skills may take a little longer to master—and that’s okay!

With patience, practice, and encouragement, these self-care skills help build independence, confidence, and a sense of pride in what they can do for themselves. 🌟

Christine He - Occupational Therapist at Kids Inspired