Independence in a child should be developed almost from the cradle. And what these things are, you will find out further.
2-3 years
In this age period, children already know how to understand speech and express their thoughts, albeit not quite accurately yet. This means that you can instruct your child to perform a number of simple tasks:
- ask to put the cubes in a toy basket;
- put your scattered clothes in the closet (this is a good preparation for the kindergarten, where children must dress and undress themselves);
- water the houseplant;
- wipe the table;
- put any scattered objects in piles and boxes;
- wash the handles yourself.
All these tasks should be performed with the participation of adults. First, mom or dad show the kid how to complete the task. Then the child tries to do everything himself. The work can be turned into a fun process, for example, add an element of a game or a scene. The child will love this entertainment so much that he will happily take on any task.
4-5 years old
At this age, the child already has well-developed fine motor skills of hands, hearing, vision, logical thinking. He notices everything, shows attention and activity, which means that he can easily do the following household chores:
- take care of pets: add food to them and change the water;
- carry dirty things to the basket;
- dress and undress yourself, while carefully folding your clothes into the closet;
- help mom with household chores: dust off the shelves and vacuum (my son, for example, at this age already washes dishes with might and main);
- watering indoor plants, wiping dust from their leaves;
- make your bed;
- wash handles;
- brush your teeth, wash your ears and wash your face;
- help mom set the table and remove dirty dishes from the table;
- take out the trash;
- help with the preparation of dinner (add something, stir, take it out of the refrigerator).
As for the latter, my five-year-old son always stands by my side when I start cooking. Moreover, he not only observes, but also takes an active part in this process. Together with me he cuts food, rubs on a grater, interferes. It even helps me make cutlets and dumplings. Many mothers dream of a helper daughter, and I have a helper son.
6-7 years old
This is already a schoolboy. An independent person, able to navigate in space without adult supervision. Mom is not around, so you have to do everything yourself. First graders can do almost everything that is required of children of their age:
- do school homework, but with the help of parents;
- independently collect a portfolio for school (a sports bag if engaged in the sports section);
- prepare your own food for school;
- tidy up your desk and your room;
- put the washed things in the closet;
- take care of pets: feed them and change the water;
- take care of house plants;
- help mom set and clear the table;
- wash dishes or put dishes in the dishwasher;
- use a mobile phone;
- reheat food yourself in the microwave;
- wash yourself in the bathroom or shower;
- look after small children;
- make your bed and even change your bedding;
- cut your fingernails and toenails yourself, clean your ears;
- make simple purchases - if the store is near the house, the first grader may well buy bread or milk on his own;
- help mom prepare meals, such as chopping vegetables into a salad.
8-9 years old
At this age, children are already becoming adolescents. They are fond of gadgets, computer games, and begin to show an inclination towards certain hobbies. What can they do?
Almost everything can:
- go shopping on your own;
- walk with pets, take full care of them;
- prepare the first meal: sandwiches, toasts, salads, drinks;
- independently load household appliances: washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners;
- actively use the telephone, master the computer (by the way, this is the time when children can succumb to the passion for computer games and the Internet).
If at this age you can teach your child to regularly help you in the kitchen and with cleaning, in the future he will do it as a matter of course. Miss the moment - and it will be almost impossible to re-educate a slothful teenager.
10-12 years old
At this age, first love is already possible. And from this period that notorious transitional age begins. Despite this, a child of ten to twelve years old should be able to:
- take care of your body, observe hygiene and independently all the procedures necessary for this;
- wash your own linen - panties, socks, tights;
- do homework, go to circles, sections, develop and constantly learn something new;
- caring for a younger brother or sister;
- conduct the first experiments in cooking (if this is a girl, although boys are occasionally also interested in this matter);
- clean the house, wipe dust everywhere;
- walk with animals, take care of them.
13 and older
At the age of 13, many teenagers begin to shirk their business and move on to their hobbies. But you should not indulge in this: after all, they are already old enough, and already know a lot of things, namely:
- fully help with cooking and cleaning;
- go to the store to shop;
- do all the homework yourself, without involving adults;
- take care of pets and younger household members.
Working and sharing responsibilities in the family is the best way to raise a child responsible and independent. In Japan, it is natural to teach babies to help around the house from an early age. And Japanese mothers are known to be the best in the world, so feel free to take an example.
- We teach a child to be in order, or how to raise an assistant
- Why should a child help with household chores?
- 9 simple tips to teach your child to help around the house
- How to raise responsibility in a child
- 6 ways to properly motivate your child
- What to do if a child is lazy - how to deal with child laziness
