Helping Around the House - Starting your Child on Chores

Chores are something every child dreads doing. Howcarry inside. Again, she will feel great accomplishment
many TV sitcoms have you seen with a parentfrom helping. Be sure to teach her the importance of
hounding a child to do his chores? While this scenario isnot opening other people's mail.
played repeatedly with older children in houses acrossChildren who have pets at home can help with care of
the globe, smaller children actually enjoy helping outthe animals. Toddlers can bring pet dishes to mom or
around the house. But when is it time to introduce adad to be filled when it is mealtime. Older preschoolers
few household chores to your child, and what taskscan fill the bowls or feed smaller pets themselves.
can a toddler or preschooler accomplish?Because large pets like dogs often get excited around
You can start educating children about chores as soonfood, an adult should always be present at feeding
as your child is able to follow simple directions. As youtime.
start feeding your baby table food, you can have himThe most important thing to remember when
pick up food from his tray and put it back in his bowl.introducing your child to chores is that praise is the
This enforces the idea that he has to pick up hisbest way to reinforce the idea that helping is fun.
messes. Be sure to praise him for his efforts, even ifInstead of hounding your child to do what you want
he ends up making more of a mess than he startedher to do, praise her when she does it.
with. The point is that he is trying to help, and he needsShould you reward your child for doing chores in other
praise for that.ways? You may want to avoid giving tangible prizes
Toddlers can help mom or dad set the table. Give yourto your children for doing chores every single time. This
child unbreakable items to take to the table, likefosters the belief that children are only doing the chore
silverware and napkins. While he may not get thebecause they get something for it.
items in their perfect location, he will gain a sense ofA system of rewards can be set up where the
accomplishment from helping. At the end of the meal,children earn points for doing chores willingly, and the
have an item or two that the child is responsible forpoints are turned in for rewards. This teaches children
putting away. Many kids enjoy putting their milk or juicethe value of hard work, and the fact that sometimes
cup in the refrigerator when the meal is done. Thisthe reward for their efforts comes a little later. With
enforces the idea that they do not jump up from thethese suggestions, you can help your children develop
dinner table without helping with the clean up.a sense of accomplishment, pride, and belonging in
Another task a very small child can do is bringing in theyour family by introducing them to the world of chores
mail. While you will have to get the mail out of thein a positive, uplifting way.
mailbox physically, you can hand it to your toddler to