| Increasing evidence suggests that rich stimulation early | | | | to set the table or take something downstairs. Three- |
| in life affects the intellectual development of children. | | | | and four-year-olds love this kind of interaction. |
| Children need as much encouragement as possible to | | | | Army Drills-Play army by assigning rank and marching |
| try new tasks. They also need to learn from doing. | | | | in time to a cadence called out by the "General." |
| Only in this way can they come to know about their | | | | Getting kids to march and drill as they put their clothes |
| surroundings and how they will personally affect them. | | | | and toys away makes getting ready for bed go much |
| In fact, it's never too early to start working on your | | | | faster. |
| child's self-image and self-confidence. Small infants | | | | Fun Faces-Draw little faces using the belly button as |
| sense feelings of security and safety when only | | | | the mouth; or draw little animals on arms so when |
| weeks old. By 18 months, a child has a strong sense of | | | | muscles move, the "tattoo" appears to move. When |
| himself and his place in the family. By the time he is | | | | one task is done, the head gets drawn. Legs and arms |
| three, his natural curiosity and confidence, combined | | | | get added as more tasks are completed. Of all the |
| with maturing social and physical skills, make him a | | | | techniques I ever used, this is the one my kids loved |
| willing and enthusiastic helper in the family. | | | | best and remember with giggles. |
| Following are some specific ideas for adding interest | | | | Variety Show -Ask for help in different ways. Sing out |
| and fun to chores: | | | | your request or use pantomime or talk to an imaginary |
| Pick Up By Color -Call out a color and only items of | | | | maid. |
| that color can be put away until the next color is called. | | | | Mulberry Bush -Change the words to "Here We Go |
| This is a great way to teach colors as the toys get | | | | Round the Mulberry Bush" to "This is the way we |
| put away. | | | | make our bed" (or other household task). |
| Age Game-Have everyone put away as many items | | | | Star Power -Keep a box of gummed stars in your |
| as they are old. (My kids especially love this technique | | | | pocket for quick application when a job is well done. |
| because I have been lying about my age for so long, | | | | Little ones love it when a star is immediately stuck on |
| I'm never sure how many items to pick up.) | | | | the middle of their foreheads to proudly show the |
| What's Missing?-Have a child pick up ten items and | | | | world. |
| have the parent try to guess what is gone. | | | | Toy Patrol-Appoint a Toy Patrolman who is in charge |
| Budding Actress-Let small children wear a hand | | | | of picking up toys left lying about after children have |
| puppet (or a sock over their hand-they can invent and | | | | finished playing with them. In order to redeem the toys, |
| name their own character) as they pick up toys. Have | | | | a service must be provided in lieu of a fine. (Little ones |
| them tell the puppet what to do -a nice change from | | | | really like wearing a special hat that officially |
| everyone else always telling them what to do. | | | | designates them as the Toy Patrolman.) |
| Call for a Taxi -Pretend to call a "taxi," which is actually | | | | Would you like to find characteristics and task |
| your child. Send the taxi on an errand and let it zoom | | | | expectations for pre-school and kindergarten children? |
| away. Pay the fare in hugs and kisses. | | | | By going to my website Artichoke Press, you can |
| R2D2)-Pretend the child is a robot. Wind him up in the | | | | read about one of my books called Kids, Chores |
| back and then input instructions by pressing the | | | | & More. It will give you a roadmap for teaching |
| make-believe buttons on his chest. Program the robot | | | | responsibility and problem solving. |