Teaching Your Child Responsibility

November 24, 2021

We think of responsibility as something mostly for adults. Appointments, deadlines, bills, chores, but children, including very young children, can and should learn responsibility in an enjoyable and developmentally appropriate way. The concept of responsibility is foreign to young children who are still learning that their actions affect the world around them. It takes time as well as guidance from parents and teachers for children to learn what it means to be responsible for themselves and those around them.

It’s important to teach your child to stop and think before reacting to situations. Giving your child the option to make decisions about their behavior promotes independence and empowers them to think for themselves. Discuss with them how the completion of age-appropriate tasks, such as setting the table or making sure the family pet has food and water, has an impact on others. This will let them know that their role is important and will teach them accountability in reaching a common goal.

Here are some other tips for helping your child learn the importance of responsibility and thinking before acting:

Set an example. Children are always watching their parents, so be sure to set a good example. If you are asking your child to pick up after themselves and put things away, be sure you make a habit of doing the same.

Books are a great tool. Books offer pictures, stories, and characters that your child can relate to and admire, so reading a book together that highlights the importance of responsibility is a great way to communicate the impact that responsibility has.

Offer praise. When your child sets the table without asking, thank them and connect their help back to the big picture (e.g. your family can now enjoy dinner together). This will reinforce their decision to carry out their assigned tasks and will likely resonate with them the next time they’re asked to do something.

At Les Enfants, we believe who children become is as important as what they know. That is why our staff is dedicated to helping our students build a solid foundation by giving them the tools they need to succeed in life. Contact us to schedule a tour and learn more about our preschool programs at (201) 592-6695.