At his age he is actually becoming more coordinated and can probably put on and take off some of his own clothing.  This is a great place to start.  Make sure to tell him and show him how to do it, and allow him the time to work on it himself.  Encourage him and try to resist the temptation to “just do it yourself”.

Before bed in the evening let him work at getting his pajamas on, choosing the book he wants you to read and picking out his clothes for the next day.  Give him two or three choices of outfits.  Have them together and he can just indicate which one.

When you are working on preparing a simple snack, have him help you.  Provide him with a small but safe stool that he can use to watch or help you with what you are doing.

Assign him simple tasks such as getting out the peanut butter, or getting a spoon out of the drawer.  Praise him each time he is able to complete the task.  In fact in the beginning, praise his willingness to try something new.

Nurturing a child helps them develop self confidence and consequently more independence.   Remember to always use nurturing by thinking of the acronym SCALE.  

S stands for support.  That is providing children with physical and emotional support.
C stands for caring.  Showing affection for children through everyday actions like preparing nutritious meals and ensuring that they have sufficient sleep
A stands for acceptance.  Showing unconditional love.
L stands for love.  Displaying physical and emotional attachment (appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level)
E stands for encouragement.  Offering children hope, courage, and confidence.

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1-800-448-3000