Monday, December 15, 2008
Children and household chores
| As in my previous post (Involving and evolving a child), I mentioned about involving kids in household chores which seems like a difficult job. What is so good about it? Well I believe helping others promotes self esteem and boosts a child’s academic and social skills so why not inculcate that habit early on and house hold chores is one way. These chores teach them real world skills, which not even the schools can teach. But when you go about involving kids in these day-to-day activities, you should be clear about few things: 1) Do not expect perfection from them and so you need to curb yourself from constantly correcting them and constantly redoing their work. 2) Do not delay appreciation and do that when job is on going. 3) Do not order them for doing things, take an easier path, and ask them for help. 4) You can set the rewards to make it interesting, it could be letting them watch tv an extra hour or giving one extra scoop of ice cream or may be some allowance according to the age of child. There is an age appropriate list of chores that I stumbled upon in one of my older cuttings from a newspaper. Here is how it goes: Age 2 to 3 * Put toys at their place * Put clothes in basket. * Dusting * Piling books Age 4 to 5 * Make his or her bed * Empty dustbins * Bring in the mails * Clear the table * Answer phone calls. * Helping with setting the table Age 6 to 7 * Sort the laundry * Help pack lunch * Set the table alone * Keep the room tidy Age 8 to 9 * Put away groceries * Make own snacks * Clean table post meals * Sew buttons After that, I don’t think one needs a list :) Although its still one year or so for me to involve my son in such chores but I can at least hope to make a good foundation and turn him into a responsible adult. Hope these tips are helpful for all those who are going through this phase of growing up their little ones. Labels: age appropriate list of chores for kids, household chores, tips |
posted by Jaanvi at 4:30 PM
Great list.
Another couple of good chores that our little ones took on:
Dustbusting (with the hand-held vacuum - bathroom every day)
Feeding the pet (cat)
These both went over well.
i agree it's good to get ur kids to help out, start from young! :)
Hi Jaanvi, nice interesting post.
I had a friend who being a single father brought up his daughter his way from just a few months old.
By 9 the daughter already good in housework, makes own bed, helps makes breakfast....she grew up fast without a mother too.
I still remember he carried her to his office in a basket when she few months old.
His parents, in-laws scolded him not giving her to them, but as there was a tug of war, he took her to live another town....
And 17 years later she was a daughter any mother would love. She later graduated from a Swiss finishing school too, a real classy, proper lady...
Oh ya, by 10 years old she was one heck of a poker player too...we had to bribe her with toys not to play with us grownups....very embarrasing losing to her, ha ha. Lee.
Yeah... when they're doing the chores on the pretext of helping out (as opposed to being ordered ard), they'd do it more willingly and happily.
Hi Groovy Mom
Thanks for these tips. I am sure they do work.
Hi Uncle Lee
I appreciate your friend's commitment to brought up his daughter all by himself and developing her into fine young lady. Its not only mothers but either parent can be a source of affection,guidance,love,respect and people accredit only mothers for these.. :(
Kristie and Slavemom,
introducing things young surely help because later on kids form a character of themselves which seems a lil difficult to penetrate.
Very useful list, Jaanvi and I couldn't agree with you more on this. I do request my gal to do some simple task since young. But sometimes I would need to repeat my request until she does the chores.
oh, it's good idea. i think everyone should be a good example at home
thks for the tips!
i certainly need them too!
Hi Jaanvi, Thanks for dropping by. Great tips.
I have been bz with the Big Move. Will tell you soon about it:)