|
By
Catherine M. Pruissen
Parents
and caregivers alike expect children to share household
and cleanup chores. The toughest part of the
process for us adults is curbing our impatience to
have the job done quickly and understanding that the
some completed chores many not live up to our standards.
What really counts is the time and effort we took
in teaching our children that contributing to the
family/child care facility workload is an important
investment in building a spirit of cooperation and
responsibility. Some words of advice:
Start
When They Are Young
The
age at which you should children to pick up their
toys, make their beds, wash the dishes, etc., varies
with each child's ability and interest. Be sure
to keep small, uncomplicated chores for young children.
Even three-year olds can do something to help.
Usually they are not only delighted to do their part
but feel left out if everyone has a job except them.
If a task seems to complex or difficult, try breaking
it down into smaller steps and celebrate the completion
of each step. As he or she finishes one part
of the task, it becomes easier to do the next.
Don't
expect young children to do things independently.
When a child can do a task without help, parents often
assume he or she can be responsible for doing it alone.
But the child may not be ready because she hasn't
yet developed the "habit". And that
usually takes much longer than developing the skill.
Assign
Chores According to Age and Preferences
Switch
jobs around occasionally so children can expand their
skills. Share unattractive and tedious chores
and rotate hard or unpleasant jobs. Offer choices
where possible, but tasks should not fit traditional
sex stereotypes. Everyone physically able to
do so should help with the dishwashing, setting and
clearing the table, raking, etc.
Offer
Praise
Children
learn better from encouragement than from criticism.
The simplest form of encouragement is praise.
Be specific in your praise. You can even praise
the effort a child is making before the job is completed.
For example, "I like the way you put the storybook
away before I even asked!"
Offer
Reinforcement
Most
people, adults and children, need some help beginning
new habits or learning new skills. Offering
a suitable reward can be an incentive. It may
be something tangible or it may be extra time you
spend reading a favorite story or playing a game.
-----------------------
From:
The Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs:
A resource for parents and caregivers: Getting
Kids to Help Out Around the House.
Resources:
Pick up Your Socks, A Practical Guide to Raising
Responsible Children, by Elizabeth Crary, Parenting
Press Inc., P.O. Box 75267, Seattle, WA 98125.
|
