Welcome to MyYoungChild.org...
Stories
- Cory Learns to Tell the Truth
- Sharing with Friends
- Gilbert the Goat Learns Respect
- Silly Lilly Remembers her Manners
- A Tree Grows: a Story about Patience, Self-esteem and Diversity
- Rosa the Rabbit Learns to be Fair
- Rosa the Rabbit Takes Responsibility
- Ramon Sticks up for Himself: A Story about Bullying
- Feeling Happy
Rosa the Rabbit Takes Responsibility
As children get older, they develop better understanding
of the importance of being responsible for their behavior and their
belongings.
Two and three year olds
Two and three year olds are only capable of a
very limited sense of responsibility; for the most part, they will need
to be reminded of what is expected of them.
What you can do
Even children this young can learn to be responsible.
After playtime, ask your children to pick up after themselves—but give
them a hand so they know how to do it. At this age, it’s more important
to make being responsible a habit, so don’t be surprised if children
don’t do a great job!
Four and five year olds
Four and five year olds are beginning to take
responsibility for taking care of their needs, such as getting dressed
and picking up after themselves. They also are capable of beginning to
take responsibility for their actions.
What you can do
Praise your child when he or she is responsible,
but always lend them a hand, as they still may be too young to be able
to clean a room completely, or pick out their own clothes. Start extending
the concept of responsibility to oneself, and discuss with your child
how to be responsible to others, such as other members of the family.
Now is the age to also start talking about how children can take responsibility
for actions they have committed. This is part of being responsible to
others, and taking responsibility.
Six and seven year olds
Six and seven year olds can understand the concepts
of taking responsibility and of being responsible.
What you can do
Encourage your child to be responsible by cleaning
up after her or himself, by helping clear the table, by doing simple
household chores. Praise your child for a job well done. Remember that
some jobs may be too large for children, and they may need guidance.Develop
your child’s understanding of taking responsibility for his or her own
actions. There are situations at times which children don’t want to
own up to, like breaking something or not doing something you expected.
When these situations arise ask your children the consequences of not
telling the truth about the situation. Also ask them the consequences
of telling the truth: feeling proud of themselves, and being responsible.
In these situations, help your child figure out how to make up for their
actions in a responsible way.