Pro Tip #5: Teaching Kids to Help out more

Want to help teach your kids to be more independent?

Place their dishes at their level: easy to reach and sort, and give them responsibility. Our 3 yr old LOVES to help, and do everything himself. "I DO IT!" he screams, if we try to help get the ketchup out...which ends up usually in disaster. WE have a plastic bin for plates, bowls, and cups. Its one less things for parents to take care of- the kids set the table with their own dishes and are delighted to choose their own designs and colors!

Clothes

And here is my oldest helping pick up clothes, and putting them into our Hanging Hamper. (Repurposed from Mesh Toy bag, see below)

Camping & Travel

"What do you think we need?" Pose kids questions to give them responsibility to take part in getting ready for upcoming trips. Why is my son packing markers? I only found out later, he he wanted to draw pictures of the trees and animals he saw! Of course! Encourage them to consider and think about what they'll want at the beach, park, Gramma's house.

Open ended questions to ask: 

• What would happen if…
• I wonder what…
• What do you think might happen when…
• How did that happen?
• What do you need to do to begin the project?
• How does it work?
• What do you think is happening?
• What might you change?
• Can you think of…
• What is your plan?
• I wonder how…
• See more questions here.

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