Reading Skills for Today's Adults

Every parent appreciates a helpful child around the house, but most children are not “automatically” helpful. Parents need to take the time to teach children how to help and to find ways to make it rewarding for the children to help. Here are some ideas that you might try with your children. 

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Start by having a family meeting. You will need to get everyone around the kitchen table for a discussion about what chores need to be done and how each person can share in the family chores. Make a list and include the children’s ideas.  

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Each family member needs to be responsible for his or her own room. Beyond that, the family needs to decide who will do what chore. Involve everyone in a plan of dividing up chores and assigning them fairly. You will need to take into consideration the age of the children and difficulty of the chore. Preschoolers can handle one or two simple daily chores. Older children can manage two or three daily chores along with one or two weekly chores. Make a visual list or chart of the chores assigned to each family member. 

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At the family meeting, stress the importance of each family member doing their part. Show children how some tasks can be consolidated. For example, children can set the table for breakfast while putting away the supper dishes. 

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Encourage everyone to make the house easier to clean up by getting rid of clutter or things that are no longer needed. Try to eliminate the clutter that makes the house appear messy. 

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Parents will need to take time to teach children how to clean. Be very specific in your instruction and demonstrate step-by-step as your child watches. The next step is to let your child help you, followed by your child doing the chore as you supervise. Children also need to learn how to operate some household equipment. Children who can run complicated computer games can certainly learn how to operate the vacuum cleaner and dishwasher. Encouraging them while they are learning is very important and be generous with compliments when the chore is completed well. 

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The family also needs to have a family meeting to decide what they can do for fun to reward family members for helping with the chores. Having fun can include anything from a family game night to an outing to the local park. Again, be sure to include the children in the discussion and decision-making. Children who know that there will be fun in return for doing chores are more likely to be willing to help!