As your child grows up, they will need to learn to do things for themselves. Like clean, prepare food and take general ownership. You won’t always be there, and they will need to be able to live independently. It’s good practice for the future and they will have a sense of pride knowing that they’re able to do the tasks all by themselves. If you’re struggling to find a place to start, we have some suggestions below from a prep school in Cheshire.

Start with Basic Chores

Chores help to even out the workload so that you’re not left doing everything. They also give children practise and encourages them to take accountability. Start with the basics like putting toys away or making the bed. Give them a hand so that they don’t seem overwhelmed and know what to do. Simplicity is the key and the same goes for preparing food. Show them simple meals they can make safely without using anything dangerous, like the hob or sharp knives for example. 

Start with a Routine

Things become easier once you've gotten into a routine. While you might not want to be a nag, you will need to at first so that tidying becomes a habitual thing for them.

Offer Praise and Encouragement

Encouragement can go a long way in motivating children. They will feel a sense of accomplishment and appreciation for the work that they’ve done. If on the other hand you take a stern approach and are overly critical, they won’t enjoy doing their chores and will see it in a negative light.

Reduce Expectation

As they will be learning new things and doing them for the first time, it is good to not set expectations as they may feel overwhelmed. Be mindful of the fact that it may take your child a little more time and make allowances so that they don’t feel intimidated and pressured to begin with.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.