Kids Are Capable

As part of our weekly routine, every Monday the Centipedes help out by putting clean sheets on the nap mats. Getting the mat sheets on takes coordination, some planning and thinking skills to get everything lined up and laid out right.   Making their mats has been a great learning and teaching experience as the older Centipedes help teach the younger ones how to do it (with some tips from the teachers at times).

When they are first learning or just wanting to work with a friend, they make it a team effort by partnering up to put the sheets on together.  As they practice the skills needed they are happy to go and work on their own too and show how they can do it "all by myself."  Opportunities and experiences to help out with "household" activities help build a sense of belonging and community as well as their self awareness that they are capable and able to contribute to the functioning of their home/school.  Other simple and great ways we have them contribute is by helping with the laundry, clean up, setting and clearing of the tables and of course their personal self-help skills of dressing and such.  It is wonderful to see as our youngsters grow into amazing helpers and are able to do some of the jobs that are needed through out the day.