We tend to think that childhood is all about playing, enjoying ourselves, learning to socialize and develop. All of that is true of course. But it’s important to also realize that playing isn’t just playing, it’s learning.

If you think of a little girl playing with a dollhouse and simulating family life with her small figurines, she’s actually engaging in something quite sophisticated – playing out a number of small roles and imagining the various ways family life can go. It’s easy to disregard this as spurious playing with no real end point, but it’s actually helping her think through her place in the world, what she understands about family, and even thinking through situations that might not happen in real life but are still fun to consider.

As such, children are much, much more observant and capable than we as adults imagine. This is why often, safely giving them gentle responsibility and autonomy can be fantastic for helping them learn independence and confidence.

In this post, we’ll go into a few tasks that could apply here, and how that might help your own parenting style:

Assumed Autonomy Over Their Bedroom & Design

A child’s bedroom can mean a huge amount to them, because its a space that belongs to them, where they play, imagine, and start developing a sense of personal responsibility. It’s also magical and a comfort from a big world outside that they have to learn to adapt to. As such, it’s healthy to give them a sense of ownership or autonomy over it. Asking for their input on decorations, letting them arrange their books or toys as they like, or even giving them a say in bedding choices (within reasons of course) can all help them feel more responsible for their own space.

You can welcome small responsibilities, like making the bed or tidying up, introduced in a way that doesn’t feel like a chore. It helps to frame it as taking care of something that belongs to them. Over time, they may start taking pride in keeping things organized, not perfectly, of course, but in a way that makes sense to them. They will take that feeling to adulthood.

Helping With Household Upkeep (Within Reason)

A home is a shared space of course, so your children can be included in maintaining it in ways that suit their age. In this case, handing them a small watering can for houseplants, letting them wipe down a table after dinner, or asking for help folding laundry can make them feel involved. You may even have them help you, such as pointing out areas while you walk around the garden with your leaf blower.

Of course, it’s important to set limits. Anything too demanding or unsafe isn’t appropriate, and there’s no need to turn everyday life into a rigid set of chores, but when framed as small ways to help rather than obligations, children often enjoy being part of the process.

Small Chores & Responsibilities To Earn An Allowance

Earning a little money for completing tasks can help children understand effort and reward, which of course, we all have to deal with as life goes on. It’s appropriate to keep it simple, hwoever. You might offer a small bonus on an allowance if you connect it to optional tasks like raking leaves, organizing a bookshelf, or washing the family car.

The amount doesn’t have to be large. Even a few coins for a completed task can make a child feel accomplished and save for something they want at the end of the month. The added benefit is that it introduces early lessons about saving, spending, and decision-making with their time, which they have to learn one way, either softly now or brutally later. It also shows the value of planning your life around your savings, needs and wants, but in a smaller microcosm.

Creative Side Projects

It’s very enriching for a child to enjoy creative side projects in the home. This could be anything from keeping a sketchbook to building something out of scrap materials, or even running a home talent show. You might even purchase gifts for them that inspire them to try something creative, such as putting together a comic book kit.

If they take an interest in something specific, supporting them without taking over the process can help keep that spark alive, even if you just need to go to an art supply store. Even if the final result is messy or unfinished, the experience itself is valuable and something we tend to enjoy and cherish from childhood.

Running Errands Alongside You

You can show them how you function in every day life and invite them to emulate it as well. For instance, handing money to a cashier, returning a library book, or picking out fresh fruit at the grocery store can be good learning experiences and show them the little errands we all have to run. It also makes them feel more adult and respected, which is very healthy.

With this advice, you’ll be sure to use small tasks to help the growing development and confidence of your children.

Image: Pexels – CC0 License