Happy Helper
Get your toddler to share the load by turning chores into fun.
Divvying up chores in which little ones can participate not only teaches them to appreciate you, but empowers them to feel needed instead of needy. And if no one alerts them to the notion that houswork is drudgery, it won’t be.
For many young kids, cleaning isn’t a chore but an extension of play. You get to sneak it learning life skills too—independence, gross motor movement, precision, frustration tolerance, and the cognitive ability to count, sort, match and classify.
The earlier you get kids involved, the better,” says Tricia K. Neppl, PhD, a researcher at the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research at Iowa State University. “It’s easier at this age, because toddlers are very eager to help and they think chores are fun. Helping Mommy and Daddy makes them feel confident and useful.”
Here are ways to get your child to pitch in and take those first empowered steps towards independence:
Break up tasks into simple steps
Start by giving your little ones easy to follow instructions like:
- After coloring, count your crayons and put them away in this special box or can.
- After playing with your toys, please put them back on this shelf or in the toy box.
- Could you help by wiping your part of the table with this cloth after you eat?
The simpler the instructions are to follow, the more achievable they’ll be, and the more important your child will feel as a member of the household.
Have the forbearance for lengthy processes
Taking over a task or asking someone else to redo your child’s chores to speed things up could undermine your child’s self-esteem. “He’ll feel like he’s not good enough or that he’s letting you down,” explains Amy Needham, PhD, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. Resist the temptation by giving your child plenty of time to work at his own pace.
Follow his lead
You’ll most likely get the cooperation you need if you go with your child’s natural inclinations. He likes the dirt of the garden? Get him a watering can and shovel. If he likes the wet of the sink, hand him some rags and a water spray bottle. Others like the soothing enjoyment of repetition (sweeping, slicing, dusting).
Turn the job into a game
Here are some ways to make tasks more exciting for your toddler:
- Sorting colors - Tell your child you’ll pick up all the green and blue toys if she puts away all the yellow and red ones.
- Fun on the Clock - Using a timer, see how many toys you can both put away in three minutes. The person who stashed the most when the timer goes off gets a big hug.
- Match ‘Em - Give children a pile of socks to pair while you fold clothes. You get willing company while you do your own chores.
- Water Play - Kids can give plants and pets water with a watering can and some direction. If they spill, use the chance to let them wipe it up.
- Sous Chef - Toddlers love cooking. They’re too young to do most meal preps, but they can use the salad spinner, put rolls in a basket, or place napkins on the table.
Chore time doesn’t have to be a bore. If you get your kids started and involved at this age when they think everything is a potentially fun experience while keeping in mind that the path to independence is not especially straight (or tidy), you’ll have a regular Tom Sawyer or Laura Ingalls on your hands sooner or later.
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