Engaging Kids : Tips to learn and Develop

Engaging kids differently : Recreate the Magic!

I’ve often seen that mothers and granny’s in the house refrain from engaging kids in any sort of household work. For them, Oh, they are small kids, boys, future generation, why do they need to work or do small things? There are maids in the house & for the worst we the “elders” to cover up the work. Let them just play or eat or sleep now.. So Mommies, isn’t that a real truth?

And why to blame young moms? This has been the “Tradition in India”, more so wrt “Boys”. They come to this world just to have a gala time and become the bread earner of the family. All relaxations are in their pockets whereas a girl is understood to cover up all the tasks for men of the house ( be it “NO Relaxation” for her). This decrepit tradition is slowly weaning off the young minds but not at all for the elders in homes.

I have very strong memories when I grew up & it was in an all together different environment. Since I was a kid, I always saw my Dad and Uncle helping out females of the house in their chores. Be it mopping the floor or even readying the dishes.. Those were the days when “Maid culture” was not so rampant and owing a house and family was a joint responsibility. But for me that was just a “Rare sight” and only in my house.. I rather saw completely different picture outside, in my surroundings wherein “family men” were ought to just sit, relax & complete their office/business work.

These differences poked me in and out since I was young & they became more strong post marriage.

My thought

I looked at both the genders in a balanced manner, if female works out, it is responsibility of men to help her out in household tasks. But the dilemma of most of the mom’s of my era is “What to do now, men don’t even know how to hold a broom..They don’t even know how to “Switch On” the Gas, forget making a veggie or even Tea”. And that’s where I want to focus to help our future women not have the same feeling and lead a life with “Mutual Support” in each and every task they undertake as a family.

So the first step goes is – “DON’T REFRAIN YOUNG KIDS FROM HELPING IN HOUSEHOLD TASKS”. Someone has to begin the change, Let’s begin from our family, from our kids!

Interested to read “Introducing drawing to toddlers“?

Get a Logical side of it! Engaging kids differently!

Engaging kids creatively
Peas cleaned & Art ready!

I’ve seen so many mums asking how to engage a baby ? We’ll there are numerous options lying right below to engage and get the work done.

Have peas in fridge to be cleaned off?

Lot’s of coriander for chutney, plucking good leaves is a task?

Pulling out pomegranate or cleaning oranges for juice seems tedious?

Wan’t help in getting chapati’s made?

Utensils placed on the table to be kept in sink?

Want help in mopping the floors?

Toys messed up all in the room shouting for maid to be cleaned up?

Clothes demanding a proper folding?

Bedsheets awaiting to get spread?

Ample task and all of this has to be completed.. Why not opt for some “Help”, yes engaging kids of the house? Your kid will really not mind doing all the chores for you and that too in fun. He/She will love helping you out in all the assignments (unless it has been recorded in his brain that these are not meant for him).

You know all the more why it is a must? The science behind this is very simple, Enhanced Motor, Cognitive and Emotional Development.

Let’s just take an example of cleaning the floor:

Engaging kids in Cleaning
Broom Man!

Motor Development :

Holding the broom and cleaning the floor involves hand, finger, wrist muscles to work and develop in co-ordination. It enhances the motor development of a growing kid. He learns to hold things in a right manner & will give an edge while he writes or scribbles. 

Emotional & Social Development :

It gives your child a sense that he is responsible for cleaning the place (not complete house but yes his small room or area). Cleaning the house is not just a mother’s or a maids job. It has to be a group initiative and that builds an emotional development. Engaging kids will make them aware of hygiene and cleanliness. He needs to be aware that if his room is messed up with toys, it is not standalone maid’s responsibility to put back all toys in the basket. It has to be a cumulative effort and his involvement is a must to clean up the room. This will help develop his social skills and a feeling of respect for every human; irrespective of caste, creed and race.

Cognitive Development :

Yes that’s how they learn to organise things. Why do you wish to put your kids plate in sink yourself? Or why not let kid help you in folding his clothes? Or when back home from out why do you have to ask maid to keep his shoes and socks in place? A 2year old can easily start doing that. It helps them develop basic mannerisms of organising things. It makes them aware of the effort that goes into formulating things and they learn to respect that. Provoke kids to start doing things themselves. NO work is small or big, it is all we are doing for us & our environment. Engaging kids in every small deed gives them an important lesson of life to inculcate in them.

Let them serve their food in plate themselves. A 2.5year old can very easily try doing that.This again develops their fine motor muscles and along with that make them aware to take only the quantity they want to eat. This is the age when they must know the importance of food and why it should not be wasted. Let them take and finish what they have in plates. If something falls, try explaining your kid the process..once , twice, gradually you’ll see that the grip to hold spoon & plate has got improved. And all the more, they respect food!

Improving General Knowledge:

Why refrain them from pulling out the rind of a pomegranate? Don’t think of kids getting dirty, hands can be washed anytime. Let them make an effort to pull out the juicy aril. You can make them learn different parts of the fruit; Why do we remove the rind; the colors..the use and what not!

Their is so much to engage & the work also gets completed. And believe me, kids love doing all this. It actually is a win-win situation.

Just make these small sessions interactive and full of fun. They will not just help in various developmental phases but also help in enhancing kids General Knowledge & awareness.

Enhanced Coordination:

Engage in Dough Playing
Kids love Dough!

My recent encounter with “Making Chapati” by my 2.5year old boy went head scratching for elders of family. I was pleased to see that my kid could make a perfect round chapati from the scratch. Reason? Observing and practising improved his gross skills. I was more happy with the fact that his cognitive skills were developing fast.. He wanted to help me out..His emotional skills were developing!

His growing brain and developing hand muscles and eyes worked in coordination. There is no harm in giving the dough to the kid..When they see their mums cooking, they automatically feel the urge to try the same themselves. Don’t STOP them, rather promote it. Give them a small rolling pin and little dough to make a chapati for their “Piggie” or “Pooh”. You’ll be amazed to see their enthusiasm and yes if the kids enjoys the sessions, you never know when your kitchen will be overtaken by the “Little Master Chef” 🙂

One fine day we just made alphabets out of the dough and he was so excited to know the new use of dough;)

Let’s Conclude Engaging Kids differently:

Let kids learn everything positive they see in house. Recreate the magic for them. Don’t ever say “This task is not for you, maid is there to do it”. You are indirectly sowing the seeds of bias-ness and promoting the “Ego development” in a very young kid who is full of innocence and love for all. You are also interfering with the social and motor development unknowingly. Off course, safety has to be of prime importance. Refrain from making them work with “electrical appliances” or “closer to gas” since they can harm them easily. Opt for those small tasks which are safe, secure. Do make the most of those time by engaging with the kid, try making some art with things you can (As a beautiful flower with Grapes)

While they help you out, make them aware of :

Basic features

Utility of the activity

Colours and Shapes

Social acknowledgement

Ownership & Responsibility

So isn’t that a good idea to instil all round development of a kid? You are in the making of an independent man/woman. Be assured of it & have that proud for yourself:). They (or their partners) will thank you later on for your positive upbringing!

Rejoice Positive Parenting!

Jhilmil

Quest to live the life surrounded with the charming little bundle's of joy. When they speak, I sing, When they smile, I rejoice , When they hug, I hold them never to lose, Such is my passion for these Gifts of God.This love urged me to navigate separately from my Travel Blog & establish an "All-In-One" Blog for budding mothers. Mum's have multi-tasked this world ,with all her professional commitments , she still makes an extra effort to be a loving, caring and be an intellectual mommy! Cheers, for me too come from the same fraternity, post having a superb academics & close to 8 years of professional experience and blessed with a little one "who has indeed changed my life from Autumn to Spring";)

This Post Has 48 Comments

  1. chelf

    What a great and creative approach! Kids should be involved and when you make it as fun as you, well happy times!

  2. Danasia Fantastic

    This is a really interesting take on getting kids involved. I definitely think explaining the benefits of the action their completing will help.

  3. Chemady

    I love this! Kids are to be engaged in house chores so that when they also grow up, they will be up to the task. They won’t see it as a big deal.

  4. Amber

    Yes, I always like to include my kids in things. I think it’s important. Granted, I probably do more than I should for them so I need to get them to help out more.

    1. Jhilmil

      Great Amber, moms have to be practical & emotional both:)

  5. noonetocompare

    These are some really great ideas to engage kids and teach kids. I like to make chores fun in my household as well. We make it a game on the weekends and if we complete all the tasks on our list we’ll get a treat. I think it’s important to include children early on as well!

    1. Jhilmil

      Wow, that’s really great, we need to include this education really early!

  6. Anosa

    We had a similar type of traditional setting of women did all and men nothing but my father changed that and we all did our share equally. My brother has grown up to be a very loving husband, father and can hold his own in the chicken etc

    1. Jhilmil

      That’s really great. It is very rampant to see such households in India & that’s what I wish to change, change the perception!

  7. Deimarys

    I saw a cleaning toy set the other day and decided not to buy it because I wasn’t sure. Thanks for the tips, they are very helpful

    1. Jhilmil

      Appreciate you found them helpful:)

  8. I really enjoyed reading this post, and found some really helpful tips. I try my best to make chores fun in our home.

    1. Jhilmil

      That’s really great Tasheena to make chores a fun way.. that’s fun learning, social development & a great help:). Kudos!

  9. Christie

    This is so helpful. Getting kids to do chores is so difficult, but it can be fun and educational too. Teaching them the value in what they’re doing would surely help. 🙂

    Christie’s Take on Life.. xx

    1. Jhilmil

      Really true, there are learnings even when they clean their toy basket.. They need to learn all this in a fun way:)

  10. Ana Ojha

    I can totally relate to this post! When I was kid in India, I never have had the need to do anything because domestic helps was easily available at home. When I moved to the US, since then I have learnt to do everything by my own!

    1. Jhilmil

      yea, have heard that it’s a pain getting domestic maid there..& that’s when if u get helping hand in the form of family, nothing like it!

  11. Milica

    I could not agree more with you! I have a 5 years old son and I have teached him to be very helpful around the house. That is good for the kids, they learn to be responsable!

  12. Pile

    Kids should be involved and when you make it as fun would help them to learn and be more creative

  13. Preeti Chauhan

    I like the way you have give it a strong scientific base .I think now mothers will take notice and start teaching their boys to cook too !

  14. Manohar Mathi

    Great article. I’m very relate to this post

  15. nerdwage

    This is great! If I had kids, I’d def use this.

  16. Judy

    Nicely summed up. Being a mommy of 2.5 year old I try and engage him with few steps told here. I can follow more from this post.

  17. Tina Basu

    This is a great thought, my son is very active in all the household chores, he is my maid’s assistant and helps me out in the garden!

  18. Shilpa Bindlish

    Engaging kids in the age-appropriate tasks is the primary step to aid them become self sufficient in later phase of life.

  19. asoulwindow

    Very well written. It is very important to channelize the energy of kids in the right direction.

    1. Jhilmil

      Great Kusum! Appreciate you loved it:) .Keep rocking!

  20. Rosie Romance

    Great advice, I think it’s super important to allow children to develop in this way. I always ask my niece and nephew (4 and 5) to help me cook and do chores and they absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Rosie

    http://www.rosieromance.com

  21. I 100% agree. Kids, no matter the gender, should help their parents at home. Chores give them responsibilities and teach them that nothing comes without any efforts. I love how you put it from a child’s development point of view. That’s convincing! It’s so true that by allowing them to help at home, parents help the future independent young adult. I’ve seen a few friends who were lost and terrified when they had to live without their mum when they started uni – they had a hard time learning about chores!

  22. Mike

    Doing chores around the house is a great way to not only help burn off that extra kid energy, but to teach real life skills. My nephew grew up with maids and cooks taking care of everything for him, when he got to college, well he couldn’t even boil water or do laundry and had to learn to adult on the fly.

  23. Freya Farrington

    although I personally don’t have children myself, we do have young nieces and I couldn’t agree more than just getting them involved! Day to day chores can be so engaging and turned into a game is approaching in the right way!

  24. Akamatra

    I’ve started my daughter on such an approach almost since birth. Now she takes the sponge and pretends to clean the floor, lol!

  25. Irena-OnePointofView.net

    It is not common here in Croatia for people to have maids, but more of a cleaning lady who comes once a week or even a month. I guess it is even harder to teach kids to clean around the house when there are maids there. But I absolutely agree with you that it is so important to learn them to clean up after making a mess and to be involved in house chores. Most people would be surprised how kids actually love to do those things. They feel like grown ups and it makes them feel confident.

  26. Vasundhra

    These are some great tips. In fact, I want to involve my baby in the household chores when he grows up a little. Right now, he is too young for it. Kids learn fast and it is great for their overall development.

  27. Rhian Westbury

    Interesting read, I do think having a household is partnership and responsibilities should be shared so bringing your kids into this and showing them responsibilities is a great thing to do x

  28. Sarmistha Goswami

    Love this post and totally agree with your thoughts! Involving kids in household work makes them more responsible when they grow up! Thanks for sharing.
    Do drop by my blog as well : http://styleovercoffee.com 🙂

  29. alisonrost

    Here is the U.S. it’s such a different world, in that household maids aren’t part of our everyday life. (Sometimes I wish they were!) But you’re right, helping out around the house, no matter if you’re big or small, is imprtant for reasons more important than the dishes need to be done. I couldn’t help but think of an interview I read of Michelle Obama. Even when they lived in the White House she asked her girls to do chores. “One day they’ll go to college and families of their own and they’re going to need to know how to make their bed” x

  30. Laura Dove

    Great advice! With four children I try hard to get them involved in chores! I just don’t have enough hands to do it all myself!

  31. roadaviator

    Nice way to Keep the kids engaged and learn from these activities. When I was kid my mom also keep me engaged with all the household work. And frankly speaking I am very bad in making chapattis.

  32. I agree. When I was a kid, my sister and I always helped my mom in all the chores around the house from cooking to cleaning to laundry!,it is so helpful!

  33. Vanessa

    This is all so true. My kids, both genders learn to help clean from when they are little. These are basic life skills that they need to learn at home.

  34. Cassandra Rose

    This is such a great idea! I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve noticed how much my young cousins love helping around the house, especially when it comes to cleaning. I think making it into a game is a great motivator too!

  35. Jen S

    My parents used to always turn chores into playtime. To be fair, I probably made more work for them in the long run. Unfortunately, I eventually learned to despise chores as allchildren eventually do.

  36. Melissa Vera

    I say that chores should not be gender defined. In fact, I think that all children should learn the responsibilty of helping with making sure the house is tidy.

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