Every parent wants to raise responsible children, and children want to see themselves as responsible as well, being able to accomplish things that need to be done. They want to feel as if they are helpful and can contribute to the world. As a parent of children enrolled in private schools in Greenville NC, here are a few things you can do to help your child grow to be responsible:
Give Them Opportunities
Even if it is something small, children contribute in many ways. It may be something as simple as being nice to the youngest child or maintaining a positive attitude when they don’t get their way. Acknowledge these good behaviors as a contribution to the day. As they get older, their contributions will grow, such as helping around the house. Research suggests that children who help around the house are more likely to offer help in other situations as well. Increase their responsibilities appropriately; let your toddler place napkins on the table or have your four-year-old match socks. Allow the older ones to help set out plates and silverware at the table. They should feel empowered and invited to be helpful rather than feeling guilted into doing so.
Always Welcome Help
Even if it is more work for you, always welcome your children to help or to do things themselves. Work with your child to complete a task so they can learn the feeling of satisfaction that comes along with being helpful. This is also a great time to bond, which will motivate young ones to keep contributing.
Teach Responsibility for Actions
Forcing an apology is not helpful for anyone. They won’t mean it and it will not solve the situation. Start by listening to the offending child’s feelings and helping them work through the emotions. Once they have cooled down, ask what can be done to make things better between the two. Perhaps they will be ready to apologize, or will be willing to mend things by giving a hug or helping the other with a chore. Children will learn that they are responsible for the way they treat others, and they will be responsible for repairing the issue when they do damage. Since they are not forced to do so, they will feel better about doing it on their own.
Let Them Think
Rather than telling your child what to do when things need to be done, let them do the thinking. For example, if your child tends to lag behind in the mornings before school, instead of shouting demands like “Brush your teeth! Pack up your bookbag!” try asking “What’s the next thing you need to do to be ready for school?” When you utilize this strategy day after day, they will soon get into the routine and manage their morning tasks on their own before it is time to head out to their private schools in Greenville NC.
Handling Difficult Situations
If your child gets into a difficult situation, like an argument with a friend or in trouble with dad, try not to bail them out every time. Be there to help them solve the problem and work through their feelings, but let them handle the situation themself. Of course, make sure they don’t avoid it altogether, but see to it that they figure out how to solve it on their own.
Walton Academy
Walton Academy is always striving to provide a consistent, nurturing, and innovative environment for our students. We understand that early childhood education plays a large role in your child’s development, so we ensure they receive a high-quality education. With small classrooms and highly qualified teachers, you can be sure your child will receive individualized instruction, character education, and social-emotional habits.
Walton Academy firmly believes that an environment with minimal distractions is key to student success. To achieve an optimal learning environment and experience, we require each child to undergo our enrollment screening process. During our enrollment screening process, students are observed and assessed academically, behaviorally, and socially. Our enrollment screening ensures that our classroom environment remains focused and that each student can excel and reach their full potential. Contact us today to learn more!