Most already know that learning through play and leisure is vital for a child’s development, but it’s also crucial that your child learns things aren’t just done for them, and that they should have some air of responsibility around the house.
For parents wanting to get their child more involved, here are some ways in which your child can help you in the home.
Tidying the house
First of all, research has shown that children often have far too many toys, more than most of them even play with, and so going through old things together can be both a fun activity and a way to purge those unwanted Christmas presents of previous years. Gather all your child’s clutter and perhaps sell on things that you don’t need any more, quickly done through online marketplaces such as eBay or Gumtree. Alternatively, you could donate them to charity.
Property investment companies, such as RW Invest, opt for a minimalist décor in many of their luxury studio and space-saving apartments, and so it might be worth looking towards their sort of design for a modern upgrade, particularly if you’re restricted in the area you have. Not only has a tidy interior been proven to encourage a calm environment, but it will teach your child to put things away when not in use, and learn not to make too much of a mess in later life.
Helping with chores
Getting your child to help with varying tasks, from simple things such as taking out their dishes to mowing the lawn and tending to the garden, will instil in them a sense of accomplishment when complimented for finishing. This will also remind them that things like this need doing in order to contribute to a home where they won’t be waited on hand-and-foot.
Top tip: Incentivising your child, by giving them pocket money or introducing them to savings, can be a great way of not only getting them to perform chores with a bit more enthusiasm but will also again prepare them for later life. A great thing to buy for younger children is a piggy bank or money box, as it will help them to understand the benefits of saving by visualising the coins stock up.
Homework
The mention of the dreaded homework can be a depressing thought for, not just a child who after a long day of school simply can’t face another maths problem, but also a parent, who after a long day at work simply can’t face not having peace and quiet. However, coming to a mutual agreement with your child can be beneficial for you both.
Why not set time throughout the week where you and your child both sit down together and get on with some work quietly? It saves you both some distraction, and you can also get productive while keeping an eye on them. It could be a good bonding experience, and it feels rewarding to help each other. It goes without saying that your son/daughter might need more help than you, but it can be an organic way of teaching your child other things if they take an interest in what you’re doing.
Top tip: When making a schedule like this for homework or chores, try to stick with it as much as possible, and perhaps even draw one up so that your child can visualise it. After a while, when your child has gotten used to carrying out a task at a specific time, they will begin to stop questioning or complaining about it.
In collaboration…