Getting your toddler involved in small chores (Work of a toddler-Why chores matter) like ‘Keep the keys in the drawer, grab me some water, switching off the lights’ may make him/her look adorable but has deeper implications. It is like instilling a sense of confidence and self-reliance from early years as they have this natural stride to be able to do things on their own which is a stepping stone for their future. Also, it keeps their little brains occupied productively which is good any day!
Starting this healthy practice during senior toddler years is recommended as usually the baby has picked up basic vocabulary to communicate and can navigate on his/her legs without much help!
Now the question arises as to which all tasks can a child do at that age? We have jotted down some simple household chores that you can get your precious one to do.
So here we go:
- Helping with keeping things at the ‘right’ spot: Imagine you enter your room with toddler stuff all around- toys, colours, clothes, papers scattered all over. It is normal to freak out at the sight of the mess. Just call in your baby to ‘save mommy’ out of it. Tell him/her the right place of each object and ask him/her to keep it there. Also, ask it to remember the ‘right place’ with multiple practice of repeating the activity.
- Helping with filling the glasses: Install a mini water-filter that your toddler can reach. Take your little guy’s help to fill up glasses of water for everyone at the table and for himself (for initial days, make him understand there should be no overflowing) Enjoy the sense of achievement of an accomplished task on his face while the bonus being an increased water intake by him.
- Helping in washing and drying clothes: While you turn to wash the clothes in your washing machine, ask the little one to put them one by one in the machine. Teach him/ her the detergent usage as he/she gets fascinated by the soap bubbles. Once they are washed, ask him to help you dry them as you two place them under the sun one by one together. You take the responsibility of heavy clothes while letting lighter ones fall in his/her kitty. He/she can definitely hand over the cloth pins for the task.
- Helping daddy dearest and own-self: Dads can make ‘Sundays-Fundays’ by taking their toddlers on a cleaning drive. Well, we are simply referring to cleaning the car here. The father-toddler duo can use water pipes and mugs to clean their wheels and help each other out. While daddy washes his car, the child can wash (as much as he can) his bicycle. It is an amazing exercise to bond with each other too.
- Helping in watering the plants: Let’s raise environmentally-sensitive individuals in a world with a dearth of those. Things taught in early years stick with us no matter how old we grow hence, this is a good time to teach them how to grow plants. As you both savour strawberries together, use its seeds to grow them in your garden with the help of a toddler. It is an exciting process and he/she will surely enjoy it. Assign him/her the duty of watering it on fixed days. Pouring is a great gross motor activity so this is one of the first chores they can accomplish. You can also involve them in pulling weeds and picking fresh veggies. They can even have their own set of gloves, shovel and bucket to feel included. Point out at what is a weed and a plant and they will slowly figure out the difference, finer aspects of it. Let them know what is ripe vs. not ready to be picked. With such expeditions, your child will grow up as an eco-friendly, and an aware individual.
- Helping in food preparation and setting the table: As you prepare food, let your child sit with you (at a safe distance) and watch you do it. Let them touch and feel the veggies, try peeling potataoes, squashing tomatoes, sticking hands in the dough or mixing the concoction of a yummy treat! Ask them to set tables by keeping a napkin at every place or by setting place mats.
- Helping in wiping up spills: Playing with water is one of the most common preferences at this age. Next time there is a spill, instead of reaching for a towel, you could say “Uh-oh, looks like you spilled some water. Can you help me get a towel to clean it?” Keep a stash of washcloths and towels on a low shelf in the linen closet that your toddler has access to when needed. You can also teach them the dustbin etiquette for dumping trash at the right place. Feel proud later on to actually see them cleaning up a mess they made even without your asking.
Let us know if you find these tips practical and useful. Also, do share if you have new ideas to get your toddler working and busy.
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