Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
I Can Do It Myself Chart: Free Printable Chart for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
I Can Do It Myself Chart is a free printable chart for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children tick each job on the days they do it by themselves. The table has an I can column and a box for each day from Monday to Friday. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children use a simple weekly table. The first column says I can, and the next five columns are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When a child does a job all by themselves, they tick the box for that day. Over the week the ticks show what they can already do and what they are still practising. It is a calm, low pressure way to notice growing independence.
- I can
- Mon
- Tue
- Wed
- Thu
- Fri
Getting the most from the chart
Pick jobs that are nearly ready
Choose jobs your child is close to managing alone. A job that is almost there gives a quick win, and quick wins build the wish to try the next one.
Agree what a tick means
Say it clearly: a tick is for doing the job with no help. Trying is still worth celebrating, but it is a different thing, so keep the two apart.
Put it where they can see it
Stick the chart on a fridge, a classroom wall or a bedroom door. Children like to check their own row, and a visible chart is easy to remember.
Let them hold the pencil
Let your child make the tick. It is their chart, and the small act of marking it themselves adds to the feeling of pride.
Why independence matters at age 4 to 5
Children in Reception are learning to look after themselves. Fastening a coat, putting on shoes and washing hands are real skills that need practice, and each one takes fine motor control, patience and memory. Doing these jobs alone also saves time during busy school days, such as getting changed for PE or heading out to play.
The Early Years Foundation Stage includes Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and managing self is one of its strands. It covers caring for your own needs and having the confidence to try. A weekly chart gives children a clear reason to practise, and it gives adults a simple way to notice progress and talk about it.
Skills and curriculum link
- Independence
- Self care
- Pride and confidence
- Routines
- Fine motor control
Ideas for grown-ups
- Give timeIndependent jobs take longer at first. Build in a few extra minutes so your child does not feel rushed and you are not tempted to step in.
- Show, then step backShow a job slowly once, using simple words. Then let your child have a go while you watch and stay quiet.
- Praise the effortSay what you noticed, such as "You kept trying with that zip." This helps children value effort, not only the result.
- Keep it lightIf a day goes badly, simply leave the box blank and try again tomorrow. The chart should feel encouraging, never like a test.
Key words
- IndependentAble to do something by yourself without help.
- Self careLooking after your own body, such as washing your hands or getting dressed.
- RoutineThings you do in the same order each day.
- JobA small task that you do, like putting on your shoes.
- ProudA warm, happy feeling when you have done something well.
- PractiseDo something again and again so you get better at it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself, as it has the notes, help ideas and the stretch idea.
- Look at the I can column together. Talk about each job and what your child can already do on their own.
- Each day, let your child tick the job only when they have done it with no help.
- If a job is tricky, start with one job only and give a sticker for trying, not only for succeeding.
- At the end of the week, look at the ticks together. Talk about what went well and pick one job to practise next week.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Start with one job only. Pick the one your child is closest to managing. Give a sticker for trying, not only for succeeding. Show the steps slowly, say them aloud, and let your child have the next go while you wait.
To stretch confident children
Add jobs of your own, such as pouring a cold drink or packing your bag. Ask your child to suggest the new jobs. Hot drinks and anything in the kitchen that is hot or sharp are always for adults to do.
Make it a game
Race the clock: how fast can you zip your coat, kindly and carefully? Count out loud together or use a sand timer. Then try again and see if you can beat your first go, without rushing or pulling.
Talk about it
- Which job on the chart are you proudest of, and why?
- Which job is still a bit tricky? What could help you?
- How does it feel when you do something all by yourself?
- Who showed you how to do one of these jobs?
- What new job would you like to add to the chart?
- How could you help a friend who is learning to do a job?
Take it off the page
Coat and zip practice
Set out a few coats, jackets and cardigans. Let your child practise fastening each one, then hang it up. Praise patience as well as success.
Shoe shop role play
Set up a pretend shoe shop with a few pairs of shoes. Take turns being the customer and the shop worker, and practise putting shoes on the right feet.
Helper of the day
Give your child one real job to do for the whole day, such as setting out spoons or tidying books. Talk about how it helped everyone.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep the chart in a place you both see daily. Tick only when they have managed the job with no help, and praise effort often.
Teachers
Use it as a weekly routine, a PSHE starter or a home and school link. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas, so you can adapt jobs for different children in your class.
Home educators
Add the chart to your daily routine and tie it to everyday life, such as getting ready to go out. It works well for brothers and sisters of different ages, each with their own jobs and their own row of ticks.
Where independence goes next
Before this chart, children learn through play and daily routines. They watch adults, copy them and try small steps such as taking off a hat or putting a toy away. These early experiences give them the confidence to try a job by themselves.
After Reception, children take on more responsibility. They get changed for PE on their own, manage their belongings and help with classroom jobs. In PSHE they go on to talk about caring for their bodies, being safe and taking pride in what they can do.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is the I Can Do It Myself Chart for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Older or younger children can use it too if the jobs on the chart suit them.
- What do children do on the chart?
They tick a box each day when they have done a job by themselves. The table has an I can column and a column for each day from Monday to Friday.
- What counts as a tick?
A tick is for doing the job with no help. If a child tries but needs support, praise the effort and maybe give a sticker. Leave the box blank so the chart stays honest and encouraging.
- What if it feels too hard?
Start with one job only. Choose one your child is nearly able to do and give a sticker for trying, not only for succeeding. Add more jobs once they feel confident.
- How often should we fill it in?
Fill it in once a day across the school week. Pick a regular moment, such as after getting dressed or before leaving school, so ticking becomes part of the daily routine.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a PSHE starter, a weekly routine, a table activity or a home and school link. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Your child can add colour with pencils or stickers if they like, which makes the chart feel more personal.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.