by Bernadette Jasmin

Created on: October 03, 2008

Raising children to be effective adults does not happen overnight. "Training up a child in the way he should go" begins early. Nevertheless it takes wisdom and years of patient nurturing. So when do you start training your child to do chores? That answer is clear from the time they are small.

A child's mind is capable of much learning nevertheless a child's body is not fully developed. Although a child needs to be taught from the time they are small to do chores wisdom is necessary to not deter positive growth.

From the time a child is a toddler he can be taught to pick up his toys through games, like follow the leader. He can mimic adult behavior. Doing everything for a toddler can leave him totally dependent and needy. Nevertheless, you have to gauge your own child's readiness for small chores. Some children need more nurturing and coddling then others. Toddlers grow at different rates if you push a child too much you may frustrate him or her and cause rebellion. Encouragement at this stage is a big part of teaching and encouraging self-esteem.

If you have a new baby you might assign your toddler to help by giving him a little chore, like bringing diapers when the baby needs to be changed. This will not only help you, but will help the child to feel a part of the family and feel responsible for his or her sibling. It will also help in the adjustment process. Don't be afraid of giving your toddler little responsibilities in helping out with baby, but don't overdo it. Your child is not a miniature adult.

Some parents push children away at this stage because they may seem stubborn and get frustrated easily when they cannot accomplish something. Much patience and creativity is needed to help children grow large and small muscle at this stage. Provide your child with chores befitting his age and dexterity. Remember small fingers may not be able to grasp small items. Children also tire more easily and their attention span may be limited. You may have to remind your child each day to do something, but repetition does work. That is how memory is developed through repetition.

Have routines it will help your child to remember, like having your child put his shoes in a specific place. This may have to be repeated several times, but don't nag your child. Remember you are teaching not hounding. Each thing you teach your child may take many repetitions. Do not overload a child. Make sure you give a lot of praise for jobs well done. Who doesn't like praise? Make the praise sincere you are forming future habits. It is not good to pay a child for chores he needs to learn that there are certain things that we do out of love and responsibility for others.

In the long run teaching a toddler to do small chores is a positive thing. Nevertheless wisdom and patience is the key. A toddler will not always remain so. Growth happens so quickly and you want to reinforce positive behavior so that it will come naturally to your child through a lifetime of practice. You won't have to show up at your child's dorm 17 years later to teach him to do laundry if you have been teaching him all along to be independent and accomplished.

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