7 Tip for Teaching Kids Responsibility

Kids are big helpers. If you’re baking in the kitchen, they want to crack the eggs. If you’re preparing for a trip, they want to pack their own backpack and suitcase. According to care.com, a popular website for educational and child care resources,  there are a number of ways we can promote responsibility in young children. As children are entrusted with more difficult tasks, they develop a stronger sense of pride. With appropriate modeling from their parents and caregivers, children can begin to tackle new challenges all by themselves! 

Start young

Believe it or not, children are capable of learning skills for independence quite young. We can start teaching our 2 year old to clean something up after they dump it out on the floor. As children get older, they can start brushing their own teeth, getting dressed and maybe even packing their own lunch. Don’t be afraid to ask your child to help around the house, even if it’s simply dropping a plastic truck into a toy bin or returning a shovel to the sandbox.

Let them help you

As a parent, you carry the majority of the load for your family. However, there are a lot of great ways you can get your kiddos in on the work (and the fun!). Set the tone for work in the home. If you hate chores, they will, too! Make it fun; play music and turn cleaning into a game. When a child helps their grown up accomplish a task, they feel a sense of pride that they’ll be eager to experience again. 

Show kids the way

If you are trying to teach your child to fix their own snack or clean their own room, you’ll need to show them how! Consider demonstrating how to find a healthy snack in the pantry or how to pierce their straw through a juice box. If cleaning their room is a priority, get a hamper and show your child where to place their dirty clothes. They’ll need these tools if they are expected to do these tasks on their own.  

Praise them

Praise, praise, praise! Children absolutely love being acknowledged for a job well done. Not only will your child feel proud, he or she will be highly motivated to keep up their great work!

Manage your expectations

We always need to remember that we’re asking a small child to do a big job. If your preschooler can’t hang up their jack the first time or drops a basket of toys on the ground while they’re trying to clean up, be patient. They’re still learning! 

Avoid rewards

We are often tempted to bribe our children to complete important tasks, especially those that involve managing their own belongings and personal grooming. However, try to avoid rewards as motivation to learn responsibility. Save treats and toys for special occasions and for when your child goes above and beyond what they’ve been asked to do. Remember, praise and time spent with a parent can be very rewarding on its own. 

Teach consequences

As a child learns about responsibility, they are also learning about the consequences that happen when you leave a task unfinished. If a child is expected to place their plate in the sink after dinner, they might not be ready for any television. When the task is finished the nightly routine can continue! 

Try giving your child some important responsibilities and see how they respond! Chances are they’ll love it; taking care of yourself and your personal belongings is what “big kids” do!