We all want our children to grow as responsible and independent adults. The seed of that starts growing from a very young age and parents need to nurture it.
Involving these young, independent minds in participating in daily chores can be a great beginning. Many times we as a parent may feel what daily chores can be done by the little ones? They are too young and what help we can seek from them? You may feel it’s easier to do the chores by yourself as kids may not do it in a perfect way but teaching your kids to do it even with
imperfections can be starting off developing ownership and responsibility in young minds.
Children can learn a lot by doing household activities. Taking part in simple daily activities helps children to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership. Many of these daily activities help children to develop motor skills, eye-hand coordination, problem-solving skills, and mental organization as well.
WHEN TO START?
Children love to be messy and they scatter their toys and stuff all around while playing. START EARLY, with toddlers you can start with the concept of cleaning up after playing with toys.
GIVE THEM SIMPLE TASK
DO IT ON REGULAR BASIS
SIMPLE DAILY CHORES WHICH YOU CAN PRACTICE WITH YOUR
TODDLER:
- Pick up the toys and keep it
Initially, to teach the concept you can do the clean-up with your child. Doing it together can be so much FUN.
With very young children rather than just picking up their toys and blocks involve them with you. When you start with it, don’t think about perfections. It’s more about developing a habit in young minds.
- You can use a finished basket to put all the toys back into the basket after play
- USE MUSIC: Music is a great way to teach children. Children love music and it becomes easy for children to understand and comprehend.
You can sing along with actions.
“ CLEAN UP EVERYBODY CLEAN UP, TIME TO CLEAN UP
PICK UP THE TOYS AND PUT IT AWAY, TIME TO CLEAN UP”
Every time you want them to clean up, you can sing the same song with emphasizing the word
“ CLEAN UP” “ PICK UP TOYS”, “PUT IN THE BASKET”
“TIME TO CLEAN UP”.
“BYE BYE SONG” also works well, as they finish their play, they can put the toys back in the basket by singing: “ BYE BYE BLOCKS”, BYE BYE TOYS”
- Put Dirty clothes in the laundry bag
With the young ones when you remove their clothes and change them, take them to put the dirty clothes in the laundry bag. You can help them to carry the clothes close to the basket and then help them to drop the clothes within the laundry bag. With children aged between 3 to 5 years, you can ask them to help you by picking up or pushing the laundry bag close to the washing area.
- Watering Plants
Let the kids learn about plants. Children learn by copying adults. Watering plants can be again a very exciting activity for children. It teaches children to love and care.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
- START AT YOUNG AGE.
- MAKE IT A ROUTINE AND IT WILL DEVELOP INTO HABIT
- MODEL FOR YOUR CHILD
- DO IT TOGETHER
- USE MUSIC
- APPRECIATE THE GREAT EFFORTS
Try these simple activities with your young children and as they grow involve them in more complex daily chores with more than one step.
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