Chores are a valuable life activity for everyone. They help fulfill our basic need to feel needed and contribute to our household. Helping others, and doing a good job at it, helps boost children’s self-esteem, while making them feel more confident, competent and valuable. However, getting children to put down the toys, turn off the television and get off the couch to help clean, declutter and spruce up the house isn’t an easy chore in itself! Here are some great ways to motivate children of any age to consistently get their chores done, while minimizing the moaning and groaning.
- Keep a list of chores for every member of the family—even mom and dad. This helps children see that no one in the house is exempt from doing their fair share of the housework. If they see in black and white what mom and dad do each day, their chores may seem like less of a hassle.
- Don’t expect perfection. When introducing a new chore, show your child how it is done first and then let them do it their way. It may not be exactly how you’d like it to be done, but at least they’re making an effort. Don’t step in and take over or redo the chore after they have finished. Next time, offer some tips on how to do it better. They’ll learn eventually and be encouraged to keep up with it.
- Time it! If a chore is assigned, give a time frame for completing it. If not, your child may realize they can put it off until you or someone else takes care of it. When a chore is completed properly and on time, offer appreciation and praise for your child’s diligent follow through.
Toddlers (and to a lesser extent) preschoolers bite. They always have and always will. Teeth are ‘cool’—they help us talk, eat, get attention, brand us as ‘getting big’ and yes, inflict pain. Biting isn’t always intentional, sadistic or aggressive. Curiosity about dramatic cause and effect is nearly universal. In general, however, once a biter appears, the environment must change. The victim is almost always surprised the first time he or she is bitten, and from that moment on, to quote an experienced colleague educator, ‘the environment must be provisioned with vigilance.’ Adults must assist the victim in ‘learn[ing] from experience.’ They must shadow the biter, monitoring his or her moods, behavior and irritability. Staying close enough to physically intervene, processing the experience with the victim, comforting him or her, and teaching skill building self-preservation techniques help the biting victim.
Establishing a strong, open line of communication between parents and teachers is an essential part of any child’s education. Doing so allows parents to always remain apprised of their child’s progress and, should a problem arise, allows for easy discussion on ways to address and remedy the situation.
Don’t believe you are a bad parent for choosing childcare.