| Chores are something every child dreads | | | | you can hand it to your toddler to carry |
| doing. How many TV sitcoms have you seen with | | | | inside. Again, she will feel great |
| a parent hounding a child to do his chores? | | | | accomplishment from helping. Be sure to teach |
| While this scenario is played repeatedly with | | | | her the importance of not opening other |
| older children in houses across the globe, | | | | people's mail. |
| smaller children actually enjoy helping out | | | | |
| around the house. But when is it time to | | | | Children who have pets at home can help with |
| introduce a few household chores to your | | | | care of the animals. Toddlers can bring pet |
| child, and what tasks can a toddler or | | | | dishes to mom or dad to be filled when it is |
| preschooler accomplish? | | | | mealtime. Older preschoolers can fill the |
| | | | bowls or feed smaller pets themselves. |
| You can start educating children about chores | | | | Because large pets like dogs often get |
| as soon as your child is able to follow | | | | excited around food, an adult should always |
| simple directions. As you start feeding your | | | | be present at feeding time. |
| baby table food, you can have him pick up | | | | |
| food from his tray and put it back in his | | | | The most important thing to remember when |
| bowl. This enforces the idea that he has to | | | | introducing your child to chores is that |
| pick up his messes. Be sure to praise him for | | | | praise is the best way to reinforce the idea |
| his efforts, even if he ends up making more | | | | that helping is fun. Instead of hounding your |
| of a mess than he started with. The point is | | | | child to do what you want her to do, praise |
| that he is trying to help, and he needs | | | | her when she does it. |
| praise for that. | | | | |
| | | | Should you reward your child for doing chores |
| Toddlers can help mom or dad set the table. | | | | in other ways? You may want to avoid giving |
| Give your child unbreakable items to take to | | | | tangible prizes to your children for doing |
| the table, like silverware and napkins. While | | | | chores every single time. This fosters the |
| he may not get the items in their perfect | | | | belief that children are only doing the chore |
| location, he will gain a sense of | | | | because they get something for it. |
| accomplishment from helping. At the end of | | | | |
| the meal, have an item or two that the child | | | | A system of rewards can be set up where the |
| is responsible for putting away. Many kids | | | | children earn points for doing chores |
| enjoy putting their milk or juice cup in the | | | | willingly, and the points are turned in for |
| refrigerator when the meal is done. This | | | | rewards. This teaches children the value of |
| enforces the idea that they do not jump up | | | | hard work, and the fact that sometimes the |
| from the dinner table without helping with | | | | reward for their efforts comes a little |
| the clean up. | | | | later. With these suggestions, you can help |
| | | | your children develop a sense of |
| Another task a very small child can do is | | | | accomplishment, pride, and belonging in your |
| bringing in the mail. While you will have to | | | | family by introducing them to the world of |
| get the mail out of the mailbox physically, | | | | chores in a positive, uplifting way. |