Alfred is at an age where he just wants to move. He has always preferred being with me, observing or doing what I’m doing and he can now really engage with these things. Here are some everyday, practical life things he does.

Getting undressed and dressed

We talk through each part of the process so he knows what will come next. I also do it in the same order every time eg nappy, singlet, shirt, pants (dressing) or shirt, singlets, pants, nappy (undressing).

Before a bath he really understands the process of taking his clothes off. I still do this for him but he knows how to hold or move to make the process happen. E.g when I have to take his pants off he moves each foot up and down to get the pant leg off.

When it’s time to dress (a process he doesn’t enjoy) I have been encouraging him to stand up and at times we use this low mirror. I have taken to putting his nappy on while he’s standing up and I simply do up one side before I put it on so it can go on like underwear. Once again, he knows to hold his feet out for pants and to push his arms through the sleeves. Sometimes he gets his shoes, sits down and puts each foot out as he knows what comes next. He doesn’t usually wear shoes but if he requests them I help him put them on!

Preparing food

Alfred started using the learning tower just recently at 12 months. He has started walking (just walking short distances between people) and can actually climb into it himself. He contributes in a few different ways:

a) By doing the same activity but in a toddler friendly way. E.g I give him some butter on a butter knife and he butters his bread, I butter alongside him. This also looks like me buttering some of his bread with my knife and him generally just stabbing as that’s where his spreading skills are at.

b) He does certain steps of a recipe while he’s also set up with some sensory play. E.g he might mainly play with water in a tray but he also has a go scrubbing potatoes and putting the potato peel into a bowl. He also tastes (not eats, just mouthing) the objects – potatoes, leeks etc before realising they don’t taste nice raw!

c) Using appliances. So far he can really only use the toaster. I unplug it and he puts in the toast (what great “posting” in real life). I plug it back in and we push down the lever together.

Checking for mail

Was this anyone else’s favourite job as a child? I loved and still love, checking for and collecting the mail! I often asked friends who I visited if I could check their mailbox! Alfred is mainly playing with the door, opening and closing, putting in and taking out bark from the garden, but he also grabs any mail that might happen to be in there. This is child led, I didn’t show him the mailbox or what to do, he was drawn to it and figured it out independently.

Putting away nappies

Once Alfred sees the nappies in their packaging he gets excited. He helps me pull them out and then puts them in one-by-one. It looks untidy but he makes sure they all are in the caddy, if any hang out he pushes them in properly. The first time we did this I said, “Do you want to put your nappies away?” Keyword: away. He knows what this means as we pack away his toys and sing about it.

Passing me the toilet rolls

Once again, when Alfred sees the toilet rolls in their packaging he gets excited. He takes them out and hands them to me when I ask for them, as well as putting them on the ground. This is a “staged” photo hence why there’s no toilet rolls in a package! We had already put the lot away and I didn’t think to take a photo! Note: we buy recycled toilet paper, not as soft and luxuriant but better for the Earth.

Putting clothes in the hamper

This one is very much me noticing he is near the dirty clothes basket and asking if he would like to put his dirty clothes in. I plan on getting him to put his clothes in straight after he undresses for his bath so he understands the process.

Update:

Thanks to a reader for reminding me of hair brushing, teeth cleaning (after I have a turn brushing his teeth) and wiping down the table! All things I forgot to include but are loved at 12 months.

Thanks for reading along! Comment below your ideas or what you do in your household.