What distinguishes “big jobs” from chores?
Assisting mom and dad with "big jobs" helps kids begin to see themselves as important contributors to the family.
Young children want to help, but we often don’t let them. Why? Because we believe it is easier – and faster – to do everyday tasks ourselves.
Your child may take 15 minutes to complete a task that you can complete in one minute. However, your child can learn a lot in just 15 minutes!
“Big jobs” differ from chores in that they are indoor and outdoor tasks that children perform with their families (or others) to benefit the entire family. They include tasks such as setting the table, planting flowers, and cleaning up after visitors. They may appear simple to adults, but big jobs have big rewards -for your child and your entire family.
With big jobs, you delegate responsibilities to your child and these jobs are completed in collaboration with other family members. Teamwork is essential when it comes to big jobs.
What do children gain from “big jobs”?
When children are included in helping do “big jobs”, they learn to:
- Collaborate with others
- Solve problems
- Compromise
- Contribute to their family
What are some of the “big jobs” that little children can do?
- Helping in the kitchen: Washing and peeling vegetables, stirring muffin batter, tearing lettuce leaves to make salad, helping set the table.
- Gardening: Digging holes, planting seeds, raking leaves, weeding, watering plants indoors and outdoors.
- Assisting with laundry: Carrying the laundry basket, sorting, folding, taking clean clothes to each family member’s room.
- Caring for pets: Feeding, brushing, walking, cleaning a pet’s cage or aquarium.
