| Chores are something every child dreads doing. How | | | | carry inside. Again, she will feel great accomplishment |
| many TV sitcoms have you seen with a parent | | | | from helping. Be sure to teach her the importance of |
| hounding a child to do his chores? While this scenario is | | | | not opening other people's mail. |
| played repeatedly with older children in houses across | | | | Children who have pets at home can help with care of |
| the globe, smaller children actually enjoy helping out | | | | the animals. Toddlers can bring pet dishes to mom or |
| around the house. But when is it time to introduce a | | | | dad to be filled when it is mealtime. Older preschoolers |
| few household chores to your child, and what tasks | | | | can 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 soon | | | | food, an adult should always be present at feeding |
| as your child is able to follow simple directions. As you | | | | time. |
| start feeding your baby table food, you can have him | | | | The 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 his | | | | best way to reinforce the idea that helping is fun. |
| messes. Be sure to praise him for his efforts, even if | | | | Instead of hounding your child to do what you want |
| he ends up making more of a mess than he started | | | | her to do, praise her when she does it. |
| with. The point is that he is trying to help, and he needs | | | | Should 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 your | | | | to your children for doing chores every single time. This |
| child unbreakable items to take to the table, like | | | | fosters the belief that children are only doing the chore |
| silverware and napkins. While he may not get the | | | | because they get something for it. |
| items in their perfect location, he will gain a sense of | | | | A 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 for | | | | points are turned in for rewards. This teaches children |
| putting away. Many kids enjoy putting their milk or juice | | | | the value of hard work, and the fact that sometimes |
| cup in the refrigerator when the meal is done. This | | | | the reward for their efforts comes a little later. With |
| enforces the idea that they do not jump up from the | | | | these 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 the | | | | your family by introducing them to the world of chores |
| mail. While you will have to get the mail out of the | | | | in a positive, uplifting way. |
| mailbox physically, you can hand it to your toddler to | | | | |