News From Our Classes

Children of all ages have lots to learn – and growing with responsibilities is one way for them to learn.  A recent study from the University of Minnesota stated that young children who were given household jobs were more responsible and successful as young adults in their mid twenties.  Jobs also provide them with the setting to share the family workload, learn needed skills, and contribute to the family.  So – Get those children working!
 
Children need to be included in everyday household tasks.  Helping at home increases a child’s sense of achievement, self esteem and responsibility.  It strengthens the family as everyone is involved in working together, sharing and cooperating.  As an example, at mealtime everyone can share responsibilities.  The four year old can help set the table, the six year old can clear away the dishes and the ten year old can take out the garbage.

Encouraging children to do their part in the family, helps to develop a sense of responsibility.  Children are dependent on their parents for almost everything.  Children who are expected to give nothing in return will likely grow up thinking that this is the way life always will be.  Children need to be taught to make contributions to the family, so they will not expect something for nothing as adult.

Children also need skills when they become independent.  Doing household jobs is the best way to learn many household skills that are needed to be an independent adult.

Here are some guidelines for teaching responsibility at home:
•    Review with family members what needs to be done.
•    Consider who can do which tasks.
•    Provide equipment to do the tasks, teach the child how to do it and set the standards for completion.
•    Consider alternating tasks occasionally or letting children choose jobs.  If you want to teach responsibility they need to do a variety of jobs, not the same one all the time.
•    Instill a feeling of teamwork or partnership.  Acknowledge your jobs and your children when they do the job well.

 Try having a family meeting to discuss what needs to be done and who will do it.  Children grow when they are part of the decision making process.


 
Deana Siekmann
Special Education Case Manager