1.
Let your child select their own clothing and dress themselves.
If your child is very young, select 2 or 3 outfits for them to choose
from.
Assist them only when absolutely necessary. It is important to let your
child develop self grooming skills, but don't abandon your child if they
absolutely cannot so it themselves. In which case you should assist
them, but do it slowly so they can observe your movements. The goal
here is self-care and ability to make choices.
2.
Don't talk or walk for your child.
If someone speaks to your child let your child answer. Let your child
speak for themselves. ALSO, do NOT carry your child. It is important
for them to walk for themselves. They need movement to develop
their motor skills. They also need to develop independence.
3.
Talk to your child.
Your child is capable of intelligent conversation. Don't patronize them
with baby talk. Tell them the names of objects in the environment,
indoors and out. This will help them enrich their vocabulary and develop
language. They need to hear you speak.
4.
Take walks with your child (in nature, whenever possible).
Walk at your child's pace. They walk for the enjoyable experience of walking,
stopping and looking, not with a goal in mind.
5.
Improve your child's play.
Ban toy boxes from your home, use shelves instead. This establishes order.
Rotate toys, Only let your child take out one toy at a time. Once they
are
done with it, insist that it be put away before another is taken out.
Put
some real life objects out, a basket of boxes or bottles to open or close,
some pouring work, and a magnifying glass. Buy books with real life
pictures in it.
6.
Allow your child to help prepare foods.
Your child is capable of being a great help to you. You must however
give your child the time. They work at a slower pace than you do, so
start preparing earlier. Ideas include: Let them pour their own milk
or juice, let them wash, scrub and peel carrots or potatoes. Peeling hard
boiled eggs is also a great activity.
7.
Let your child clean up their own mess.
Buy a child-sized mop, broom, dustpan, a bucket and some clothes.
Keep them in one, accessible place so the child can get to them
without your assistance. This helps your child develop responsibility
by dealing with the consequences of their own behavior. It also
teaches them that they can fix it themselves, and the mistake
need not be permanent.
8.
Give your child a daily chore.
This is extremely helpful in building self-esteem and responsibility.
By giving your child a purposeful duty, they feel that they are an
important member of the family and their presence is important.
If your child fails to perform the duty, be prepared to deal with
the consequences. For example, if his duty is to set the table for
dinner every night, and they forget, tell them that no one can eat
until they do it. Chances are they will set the table and you won't
have to suffer your hunger. Your child will see that they are an
important member of the family and how important it is to be
true to commitments.
9.
Give Praise only when praise is due, avoid criticism.
It is important to acknowledge our children's achievements, however
too much praise can be harmful. Don't praise your child for every
little thing they do and especially do NOT praise your child for a job
done poorly. Too much praise will teach your child to seek approval
and disapproval may be immobilizing for them. We all know that
disapproval may be immobilizing for them. We all know that
disapproval is part of life. Let us not set our children up to be
discouraged when they meet disapproval in the real world. Let us
rather help our children to incorporate self esteem and confidence
through honest feedback when a job could be done better. This does
not mean to criticize your child when they have done their best.
Only tell them that you think they could do a better job when you
know that is true, when your child is just doing a sloppy job and
you both know it. Show your child how to do it properly. It is likely
that they will repeat the work and strive toward perfecting it.
Soon they will know when it is done properly and will no longer
need to ask you for approval but will approve of it themselves.
It is important that you become aware of your child's abilities.
Be sensitive to your child. Don't expect too much and then tell
them they have not met your expectations.
10.
Encourage your child to care for a plant or animal.
If you have a pet, let your child care for it by feeding or grooming it.
If you do not have a pet, allow your child to care for a plant.
This teaches them responsibility and respect for life.
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