Did you know preschoolers (and even toddlers) are ready to rock some responsibilities! Actually studies show children build self-esteem when the adults in their life trust them to do things. They also learn the processes and the skills involved in doing various chores.
An article on the Psychology Today website stated, “One of your most important goals as a parent is to raise children who become independent and self-reliant people. It is a fact that it is often easier to do things for children than to get them to do it themselves. We can clean their rooms or get them dressed in a fraction of the time and with much less stress. It does not allow them to master skills, and it does not allow them to feel the satisfaction of a job well done and develop a sense of value, capability and accomplishment. Therefore, give your children responsibilities and hold them accountable for completing the jobs”
But, really, did they mean this for toddlers and preschoolers? As with anything, you can start young if the expectations are developmentally appropriate. For instance, a 12 to 18 month old child can go get the diaper and wipes when asked to while you prepare for a diaper change. He can also pour food into the dog’s dish (of course this would be from a small cup and might not be the whole amount the dog needs but you get the idea.), throw away his trash, take his dishes to the counter after a meal and more.
Two and three-year olds can match socks from the laundry, wipe the baseboards, pick up their toys, put dirty clothes in the laundry, restock the toilet paper and more.
Four and five year olds can set the table, empty small trash cans, “make” their bed, help load the dishwasher, clean the table, wash windows and much more.
This February we will be focusing on Rockin’ our RESPONSIBILTIES!
Aldersgate Preschool 