During the first years of our children's lives, we will be in charge of helping them develop certain skills that will help them to become the person they will become. One of them is to prepare you to be independent and self-sufficient, and this will be achieved by promoting your autonomy from an early age.
One way to do this is through participation in housework, however, autonomy will not be the only thing they can develop thanks to them. We tell you why doing homework prepares children with life-long skills that will help them be more successful.
Homework: a matter for the whole family
Keeping a house tidy and functioning implies doing certain tasks and activities every day. Sure, there will be days when we can leave something for later and absolutely nothing happens, but in general, take care of the place where we live, is something that defines much of our physical and emotional well-being.
In Babies and more, does the disorder generate stress? Five keys to maintaining order in a house with children In any house in which a family lives, there are a number of tasks that we usually do daily or frequently: cooking, cleaning, tidying the rooms and doing laundry are some examples of this. These Homeworks They help us maintain a clean, healthy and comfortable environment for all.
In general, adults are primarily responsible for carrying them out while our children are young, but from an early age (and always according to their abilities) it is important to begin to involve them and teach them to do some of those things.
Because in the end, we all share the same roof and housework is a matter that concerns the whole family, in which we must help each other and cooperate to make things work and feel better inside our home.
What do we mean by "homework"
Of course, it is not about forcing them to clean baseboards or letting them be in charge of things that can be very heavy or correspond to an adult, but that they gradually begin help in everyday tasks and that are part of the daily operation and maintenance of the house.
Some time ago we shared a board inspired by Montessori to know what tasks they can do inside the house according to their age, and that They are mainly a support for everyday tasks. Some examples may be:
- From 2 to 3 years: pick up your toys, help put clothes in the washing machine, help set the table and throw trash in its place.
- From 4 to 5 years: dressing alone, cleaning up spills, helping to collect dry leaves from the garden, feeding pets, helping us with grocery shopping.
- From 6 to 7 years old: water the plants, tidy up your room, fold your clothes, help in the kitchen, scrub the dishes.
- From 8 to 9 years old: put the washing machine, fold or hang clean clothes, dust the furniture, clean the table, save the purchase.
- From 10 to 11 years old: clean the kitchen, prepare a simple meal, vacuum the carpets.
- 12 years or older: vacuum and wash the car, wash the bathrooms, cook a full meal or bake a cake, iron the clothes.
In Babies and more, let them be autonomous: the Montessori-inspired table to find out what tasks they can do at each ageHow homework helps our children become successful adults
According to an extensive study by Harvard and on which the book "How to raise an adult" by Julie Lythcott-Haims, former dean of Stanford University, is based, Children who do homework end up becoming successful adults in their professional lives.
And what the study says as much as she is right: to allow children to help with housework from an early age, It will help them develop specific skills that will be very useful in their adult life, both socially and personally.
"If the children are not washing the dishes, it means that someone else is doing it for them. Then they are acquitted not only of work, but of learning that work must be done and that each of us should contribute to the well-being of all."he says.
Some skills that children acquire by participating and collaborating with certain household chores They are as follows:
Responsibility
By assigning small tasks at home that are consistent with their age, children will begin to know the value of responsibility, because now they will also be an important part of helping to make their home an orderly and pleasant environment, and if one day they do not your part with the tasks, you can take advantage to teach him in a kind and positive way that doing or not doing things has its consequences.
Autonomy and independence
Allow them to start doing certain things for themselves, such as dressing alone, ordering their toys, or putting on the washing machine it teaches them not to always wait for someone else to do it for them, allowing them to learn about autonomy and independence, so that they grow up as self-sufficient people.
Problem solving and decision making
What happens when we spill some liquid? We take a rag or towel and clean it. By making them partakers of housework, children will learn to solve problems and make decisions, two skills that will undoubtedly be useful in your adult life.
Teamwork
Teamwork is an indispensable skill that our children must learn from an early age. Be part of a community and contribute among all to make things work, is an essential part of a life in society and a good work environment.
In Babies and more The seven keys of the Marie Kondo method to teach children to tidy up at homeOf course, this does not mean that we do not let children be children and load their hands with homework. It is simply to involve them little by little from an early stage, so that they are acquiring practical learning and skills that will be useful for their personal growth and development.
Photos | iStock
