Five Finger Charts

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I heard about and saw these charts in action in New Zealand about 10 years ago.  I think the idea is originally from the book What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martin

The idea is that you chose five things that your child can do unsupervised every morning and evening. You make a visual chart to help them accomplish these tasks. The goal is supervised Independence.  It also frees you up from having to repeat every morning go get dressed, go brush your teeth etc.

The next step is to find pictures that represent the five things you would like your child to do by themselves.  You can use the net, Microsoft clip art (this is what we used), photographs or words if your child can read.

• We used two A4 sheets of paper.
• Next trace around each hand. One on each sheet. (or both on one sheet)
• In the one hand place a sun to represent the morning chart.
• Next place in order the things you would like your child to do.
• On the second hand place a moon to represent evening things.

Place the chart in a spot where your child can easily refer to it.

Sir N calls them his missions.  So this evening while I was busy in the kitchen and it was time for the evening routine I simply called him and said it's time to do your missions.  He took himself off to his room and went through the list and waited for me in bed when he was done.  He so enjoyed doing his jobs.









Blessings