22/08/2026
STOP DOING EVERYTHING FOR YOUR CHILD
As parents, we naturally want to help our children. But sometimes, helping too much can unintentionally reduce opportunities for learning and independence.
For children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, independence is not about expecting the child to “do everything alone.”
It means teaching the child **one small step at a time** and gradually reducing the help we provide.
# # # Instead of doing it FOR your child:
❌ Putting on their shoes every day
❌ Feeding them when they can participate
❌ Picking up all their toys
❌ Giving the answer immediately
❌ Repeating instructions without teaching the skill
# # # Try this:
✅ Break the task into small steps
✅ Demonstrate the step
✅ Give your child time to try
✅ Provide only the help they need
✅ Gradually reduce your prompts
✅ Praise effort and successful attempts
# # # TODAY'S PARENT CHALLENGE
Choose **ONE daily activity** your child already participates in.
For example:
• Wearing socks
• Using a spoon
• Drinking from a cup
• Putting toys away
• Brushing teeth
• Opening their school bag
Don't try to teach the whole activity at once.
Choose **one small step** and give your child an opportunity to perform it.
For example:
Instead of putting the entire sock on your child's foot, put the sock over the toes and let your child try to pull it up.
# # # Remember:
**Our goal is not to make the task easier for the child.
Our goal is to make the child more capable.**
Small steps today can become greater independence tomorrow.
**Be a teacher, not just a helper.**
