What a child can do without help at each age

Eat

Usually at 7 or 8 months. The child can begin to participate in meals as soon as he can sit up alone, has the ability to exchange objects from one hand to another and explore them with his mouth. Give her an age-appropriate spoon (such as silicone ones) or a piece of food that she can suck on.

Brushing teeth

Around 1 year and a half, most children can try brushing with fluoride-free toothpaste and age-appropriate brushes (remembering that oral hygiene should start much earlier, done by those who take care of the baby). Around 3 or 4 years old, your child already has more autonomy. But you should supervise brushing up to about 8 years old (or even more, if the child is one of those who brush quickly to get back to playing).

tidying up your room

From 1 year and a half or 2 years old, the child can already do simple housekeeping, such as putting toys in a basket. One way to convince her is to turn the organization into a joke. Around the age of 4, she will already be able to make bigger arrangements, as long as the room is well adapted: she should be able to reach the shelves, drawers and cupboards without risking injury. Remember to respect the way your child packs his things.

use cutlery

Between 1 year and a half and 3 years, depending on the child. This skill requires further development of fine motor skills. In general, children are able to use a fork (with rounded ends) around the age of 3, but with adult supervision, who must also cut food for them. From the age of 4 years, blunt knives can be used to bring food to the fork.

Dress up

Ages 2 and up, give your child easy-on pieces like stretch pants and a button-down shirt. Parents should help, but encourage the child to do what he can without help. Dressing without help, only around 3 or 4 years. Making your own plate At 4 or 5 years old, children are able to serve themselves (making a bit of a mess) if food is on the table. However, studies indicate that when they prepare the dish alone, the meals tend to be less nutritious. Keep an eye.

To have a bath

At 4 or 5 years old, as long as an adult is nearby. It is important that the products that the child needs are within reach, to prevent him from trying to climb the furniture. The water must always be tempered by an adult. Bathing alone, only from 6 years old.

make your own bed

A 4- or 5-year-old child already has the neurological and motor capacity to make the bed in his own way. Changing sheets, only from 8 or 9 years old.

Wash the dishes

Around the age of 5, you can wash plastic objects, but always with an adult around as the sinks are not adapted (a stable stool can help). Washing dishes for family use, only around 8 or 9 years old, as a greater level of care and motor coordination is required to handle slippery dishes without risk of accidents.

Make your own lunch box

At 5 years old, assuming that the snacks are within reach of the child, that he has already been guided on how to prepare them, that the foods are already packed and are easy to handle.

tie your own shoe

Only 5 or 6 years old. The act involves neurological maturity, improved fine motor coordination, ability to sequence movements, as well as training and repetition. It’s a great achievement!

For the future

Going alone to school or another nearby location

Around the age of 12, most children already have the neurological and psychomotor development to take care of themselves and make decisions, so they can go to school or nearby places alone. You can even use public transport for these familiar routes.

Stay home alone for a few hours

The Brazilian Penal Code, in its article 133, considers abandonment of incompetent a crime. As a person is only considered partially capable of acts of civil life at age 16 and fully at age 18, there can be problems with leaving children unsupervised before then.

Take the bus or subway

If you want to find your way, be able to make decisions in the event of adversity, the recommended age is from 16 years old.