Tips for Chores: With Time at Home, Who Empties the Dishwasher?
When I used to teach every day, I could clearly notice the students who were learning how to do everyday tasks independently at home. What a gift their parents were giving them. It is not easy to teach children to do daily chores, but we give them a huge leg up in life by helping them learn to evaluate situations and jumping in and helping when needed. These students would offer their support, without seeing the chore as a punishment or as a negative, but as a part of everyday life. Once the habit is instilled, it helps students feel like part of a team, whether it is in the family, the classroom, or other communities.
Aside from providing help at home, it also helps children's confidence and self-esteem. This will be the basis for many skills as an adult. Here are three tips to start this process when they are young.
Start with easy chores and don't expect it will be done perfectly. Getting chores done well takes time and requires you to provide feedback gently. For those in elementary school, examples might be emptying the dishwasher, making their bed, helping to put away groceries. For older kids: helping with their younger siblings or elders, walking the dog, putting away laundry, running errands in your neighborhood or building.
Do chores together or be in the room with them. If every time your child empties the dishwasher, they know you'll be doing it with them, you'll have time together. It also can become a teaching moment. "When that spoon gets caught in the dishwasher, how can we get it out?" When they empty the dishwasher, they know you'll be in the kitchen cooking. Kids crave one on one time with a parent and this can be a way to provide that.
Show your appreciation and gratitude! We can forget how motivating and meaningful it is to our children to thank them and to acknowledge their help. We all like appreciation. Make sure it is specific and clear. Here are some examples:
It was really great the way you helped Grandma find her glasses. No one asked you to do that. I was so proud that you saw she was having difficulties and you helped her.
Because you jumped in and emptied the dishwasher, I was able to get our dinner done so much more quickly. Thank you! I really appreciated that.
What a help you were when I got lost driving and you jumped in with google maps. It helped us get to the party on time!
Happy Holidays!
Winter afterschool begins next month on January 4th. We are registering students now. From Little Engineers and LIttle Coders for Pre-K to Robotics and Coding for up to 13-year-olds.
I've personally been working on a new Python curriculum for 5th to 8th graders and the kids are loving it! Head over to the Robofun website to take a look! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Noah Diamond at noah@robofun.org or (212) 245-0444!