Daily Living Skills

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

ADLs are are basic activities that everyone perform as part of their daily living. This can include things like brushing your teeth, eating food or getting dressed. Common ADLs of children include:

  • Dressing
  • Feeding
  • Grooming
  • Toileting
  • School skills
  • Play

ADL Milstones Examples:

1-2 YearsRemoves own shoes and socks
Attempting to brush teeth
Cooperates with dressing (extends arm of leg)
Parallel Play
2-3 YearsUnbuttons large buttons
Imaginative play
Uses a fork and spoon
Uses toilet with assistance
3-4 YearsToilet’s independently
Buttons large buttons
Pull down pants
Unzips zippers
Plays with 2 to 3 children in a group
4-5 YearsDevelops friendships
Zips jacket
Identifies front and back of clothing
5-6 YearsDresses alone
Ties and unties knots
6-7 YearsTies shoes

Click here for ADL activity examples!

Adaptive Shoe Tying