Teaching them young

IT’S important that parents take the time to teach their children about responsibility when they are young.

This can be done by teaching them to take care of their possessions, including them in housework, giving them something to be responsible for, and teaching them about money.

These four elements will help them build responsibility as a character trait.

Teaching children to take care of their own possessions is an important element of responsibility. Even toddlers and very young children can learn to put their toys away, put their clothes in the laundry basket, and put their dirty dishes in the sink.

Explain to them that belongings like toys and clothes last longer if they take good care of them. Use real-life examples when possible – a toy that was left on the floor and was stepped on, for example, is an excellent teaching tool.

Make sure there are areas around your home for them to store their belongings – a toy box, a toddler level coat hook, etc – and teach them to put things back where they belong. Be sure that you model this behaviour, as well.

Include children in housework whenever possible. Show them how to rinse dishes, stir ingredients, and pick vegetables from the garden.

Children are more likely to try a new food that they’ve helped to prepare, so this may also be a great way to get them to eat their vegetables.

Child-sized toy broom, vacuums, and more are available for purchase at most toy stores, or you can buy them online.

Even the youngest child can "clean" with plain water and a rag, and including them in the housework may provide you house cleaning time that you would not otherwise get.

Even some educational schools of thought, such as Montessori, hold housework modelling in high regard.

When your children are slightly older, it may be wise to consider getting them a small pet, such as a fish, hermit crab, or hamster. The pet should be primarily their responsibility, although you can help when necessary.

Pets are excellent tools for learning about responsibility and caring for others, and will help your child learn these skills.

Be sure that your child is old enough to understand that the animal is dependent on them for food and shelter.

Take the time to teach your child about money as soon as they become interested. Show them the different denominations of bills and coins, and let them decide how to spend money that they receive as gifts.

Even small children enjoy putting small change into their piggy bank, and this teaches them about spending and saving.

Be sure that they understand that money is not limitless, and that the way one spends money must be prioritised.

Teaching your children financial responsibility may well be the best investment you ever make.

Raising a responsible child takes hard work and patience. Take the time to teach your child as they grow, and you’ll have a responsible teenager sooner than you’d think.