The best lessons in responsibility can be taught at home since responsibility is not just about completing a task but also about attitude and the idea of taking action. Here are tips on how to teach responsibility to a child that can hopefully be incorporated into the child's life.
1. Be a good example
Demonstrating how to complete small tasks such as putting dirty clothes in the hamper is a great start. Parents should also consider using the word 'responsibility' so the task will sound important to complete.
2. Let him help
Young children tend to respond better when household chores are done as a shared family responsibility. Simple tasks such as folding sheets, sorting socks or putting clothes in the washer can be fun activities to do together.
3. Require age-appropriate chores
Parents can also consider pulling out the "big kid card" by giving chores to a growing child. For example, parents can say, "Now that you are five years old who is stronger and taller, I bet you can put away the cleaned dinner plates after eating."
4. Try not to scold
It can be difficult to keep one's cool when a kid repeatedly fails to do what is expected of him, Baby Center reported. Parents should learn how to manage their expectations and refrain from criticizing a task that was not done properly.
Instead of scolding the little one, try getting your point across with humor, which might allow kids to respond better. Aside from enjoying seeing their parents become silly, they may hopefully keep the responsibility of the task in mind for next time.
5. Go easy on a reward system
While kids love and want to help, many are motivated by rewards but this may not be an appropriate way to teach kids about responsibility. Rewards should be saved for tasks that go above and beyond what the child is expected to do in terms of household responsibilities.
6. Let him face the consequences
As long as the outcome is not harsh or dangerous, let your toddler live with the choices they make. The more he experiences the consequences of not being responsible, the more likely he will develop a sense of responsibility for his actions in the future, according to Care.
