Toddler Week 97

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Little Chores

Every household with children has  a constant stream of work that needs to be done. Have you ever tried involving your toddler in those household tasks? He might surprise you with his willingness and ability to u get the job done! Here are some reasons to involve your child in chores appropriate for his developmental age:

  • Being involved in chores builds his self confidence. When you allow your child to help around the house, he feels needed and like an important part of the family. It boosts his self-worth and sense of accomplishment.
  • Being involved in chores encourages development. While engaging in chores your child gets the opportunity to practice fine- and gross motor skills, problem solving and following directions.
  • Being involved in chores creates positive habits that will serve your child well as he matures.
  • Toddlers develop empathy (the ability to see something from someone else’s perception) as he starts to understand that messes have to be cleaned by someone.
  • Helping with chores can be a great opportunity to bond with your toddler as you involve him in your world.                                                                              

If you want to encourage your child to be involved in chores, keep in mind the following tips:

  • Initially, you will have to spend some time training your toddler on what to do. You will have to teach him how to sort spoons and forks or how to fold dishcloths before you can expect that he does it correctly.
  • The chore might be take a lot of time, but the developmental and psychological benefit far outweighs the time spent training him.
  • You should not expect a toddler in this age group to take full responsibility for a chore. You will have to remind him to help you and allow him to play when he doesn’t want to help. As he grows older you can guide him to take responsibility for a certain tasks. His involvement now is focused on developing skills and building confidence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Encouraging your toddler to be involved in simple household chores equips him with essential life skills that will benefit him for the rest of his life.

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