Chores for children

Involving children in chores

One day as I was involved in cleaning the class, one child came and asked me “Aunty Can I also do?”, as I nodded, she immediately went took a piece of cloth and started to wipe the floor and the shelves. In each environment, we can see children being busy in their class apart from playing by mopping the floor, washing the vessels, folding the scarves, etc. They are all the more excited to help the Adults in class. With such focus and dedication, they are involved in all these activities.

As we play the recorder after the indoor playtime, it’s such a beautiful sight to watch children putting things back at its right place, and cleaning the space where they played.

It is also a very valuable act of showing care and respect towards their surroundings.

As children see the adult being involved in purposeful work, naturally it is reflected in their play, and at the same time, it drives them to take part in such meaningful activities.

Why should we involve children in these chores?

When a young child is involved in such meaningful activities,

it enriches their self-esteem, develops lifelong capabilities and life skills.

These days when children say “I am bored”, adults tend to entertain them by providing Video games, Television, and other electronic media, which denies them the opportunity of exploring their creativity and will. Rather, we can involve them in real-life activities.

What are these real-life activities? They are life-based, need-based activities. At home or in kindergarten, there are always domestic chores to be done such as washing, cooking meals, cleaning up after meals, gardening, etc. When we engage our adult will force on this meaningful work, the developing will of the children is strengthened. Children benefit from being surrounded by loving adults engaged in meaningful work.

Let’s together create a space for our children to learn and grow.

"You must be for the children the representative of the good, the true and the beautiful. The children must be drawn to truth, goodness, and beauty, simply because the children are drawn to you yourself”- Rudolf Steiner.