As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. Here is what you should teach your toddler in order for her to start becoming more independent.
Toddlers and infants love to learn; they are eager to acquire new skills and take on new challenges. Children are very clever little creatures and will frequently declare: “I want to do it myself.” This is where parents need to respond positively and take the time to teach their kids the basics they need to know.
Teaching children to do chores
It is a good idea for parents to teach their children from an early age the importance of all family members working together to make the household run more smoothly. Chores are beneficial for children and teach them important skills such as responsibility, commitment, fairness and cooperation – this will benefit them throughout their lives. Here are a few suggestions that parents can follow to encourage their little ones to help out in and around the house.
1. Start early
Household responsibilities should be given to children when they are still young. Most toddlers love to help, and parents should take advantage of this desire by giving them small tasks to perform. Simple chores like picking up toys, helping to set the table, taking out the trash and feeding the pets are all things that toddlers can start to do. Another good idea is to let your toddler help you fold laundry or help you do the dishes by washing plastic objects, and watering plants. It doesn’t matter what the chore is that you decide to give your child – the important thing is that it is age appropriate and gives her a sense of responsibility. As she gets older, she should then be given more challenging tasks, such as making her bed and cleaning out her room.
2. Show your child how to do the chore
Children need to know exactly what is expected of them; therefore, parents should make sure that their little ones know what their duties are and how to perform them. Show your children exactly how you want things done and monitor the activity carefully to make sure that things are going well. Once children know how to do a specific chore, the monitoring can be reduced.
3. Break down the chore into smaller parts
To make it easier for your little one, it is a good idea to break down the chores into smaller parts. For example, instead of telling your child to clean her bedroom, show her how to pack away her toys or dust her drawers. Show her how to do each part of the chore correctly.
Teaching your child to get dressed
Dressing themselves is one of the first things kids will begin to do when they attempt to become more independent. It can be a tedious but very important lesson for your child – the secret is just to be patient and have fun with your little ones. Children don’t really worry about matching colours at a young age – talk to your kids about what colours go together and they can co ordinate them. Children can usually put on their shirts without any problems; just make sure to point out that the label of the shirt should be at the back. When working with buttons, show your child how to push the buttons through the holes. This can be a difficult task at first; make sure that you show your child the action clearly by pushing the buttons slowly through the holes.
Zips are normally very easy for kids to handle, but very small children may experience a tough time aligning the zip together when it’s completely separated. Carefully show your child how to insert the ‘teeth’ on the one side into the zip itself on the other side.
Socks can be really frustrating for kids to put on. Make sure that you buy socks that have a different colour on the heel. This will make it much easier for your child to know how socks are supposed to be put on. Make the learning experience fun by pretending that the one sock is a puppet that talks to your child, and show her how to complete the task.
Tying shoelaces can be very challenging for small children, so you will have to teach the process in steps. Here are a few ideas on how you can go about it:
1. Bi-coloured laces
Bi-coloured laces can make learning to tie shoelaces much easier, and can really help a child who has trouble distinguishing right from left. Take two laces in different colours and cut them down the middle. Sew one of each colour together to make two bi-coloured laces. Lace a pair of old shoes with them. You can use any learning-to-tie method with bi-coloured laces.
2. Songs and poems
Another fun and extremely catchy way to teach your child how to tie her shoelaces is to take a tune from a well-known children’s song and replace the lyrics with the shoelace-tying instructions, for example.
3. Bunny ears
- Tell your child that she must turn her shoelaces into ‘bunny ears’.
- First, she needs to secure a knot for the bunny’s ‘head’, then she must take the laces and cross them over to make an ‘X’. Next, tell her to pull one ‘ear’ through the bottom of the X and pull tight.
- Show your little one how to loop the laces into bunny ears, and then how to make them tight so that they won’t fall off. Make another X using the bunny ears, slide one ear under the X and pull tight.
- Criss-cross and go under the bridge, then you’ve got to pull it tight. Make a loop, but keep a long tail. That is how to do it right.
- Then you take the other string and you wrap it ’round the loop.
- Pull it through the hole – now you’ve got the scoop.
- Criss-cross and go under the bridge. [This is where you tie the loops together. Now make a double knot.]
Teaching your child to brush her teeth
Stand next to your child in front of the mirror and brush together. Your little one can mimic your brushing technique and will feel more comfortable knowing that doing the same thing as you is correct. Make sure that you buy a toothbrush that is small enough for your child to hold comfortably. It should preferably have a small, rounded head and soft bristles. Also be sure to buy toothpaste that is formulated specially for children and is safe to swallow.
Teaching your child about basic hygiene
Kids just love to get dirty and touch everything they can get their hands on, but especially in winter, it is very important for you to get your little one to wash her hands frequently. Show your child from a young age how to do this properly – not only rinsing with water, but using soap and making sure to wash under the fingernails as well.
When using the toilet, little girls should be taught how to wipe correctly – from the front to the back to avoid any infections.
Teaching your child to pray
Religion plays a large part in societies. Worldwide research shows that nearly 85% of families practice some type of religion and the core principle of religions is prayer. If you are raising your child in a specific religion, she is sure to follow the example you set, but does she know the meaning behind prayer and why it is important? Explain to your little one that prayer is our ability to communicate with a higher power. It should be like talking to a best friend – someone who listens to her praises, needs and concerns. Offer your child subjects to pray about; let her pray about her day, hopes and wishes for family and friends, and for guidance to always do right to others.
The ritual of prayer is not just in the words, but in the time and place – at the table, before bed, in nature. – Mary Lou Ferris
Allow your child to pray in her own words and talk openly about prayer. When having conversations about prayer, allow your child to explain in her own words what she believes prayer is, what it used for and when to pray. Children who feel closer to their spiritual guide have a much better chance of turning against peer pressure. Therefore, a better understanding of seeking guidance through prayer and praying from the heart will benefit them on their lives’ journey now and as they get older. Explain to your child that prayer is very good for her – it can calm and remove burdens, whether psychological or spiritual.
Resources
Text by Hermione Hugo, Photographs by Lelani Van Der Merwe, Taken from the August 2009 edition of Living and Loving
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