Teaching Children Responsibility

“The idea of teaching responsibility to children in our society and culture has changed, but some of the basics remain from generation to generation. The dictionary defines responsible as “personal accountability or the ability to act without guidance or higher authority.” All parents want their children to become responsible. This characteristic develops over time with continued parental guidance. Children are taught responsibility when they help with necessary normal work and activities in the home. They learn to do things they may have to do even when a parent is not present. As a benefit the child develops a sense of belonging to the family, a sense of being needed, and a positive self-concept and learns to become independent and prepared for adulthood.

Children benefit from being taught responsibility through:

· Gaining organizational skills needed to get a task completed.

· Working with others.

· Learning a new skill or improving an existing skill.

Parents benefit from teaching children responsibility through:

· Sharing the workload given to children.

· Serving as a role model.

· Balancing work and time for the entire family.

Responsibility can be taught by:

· Have a chore bag in which children can draw from each day

· Completing household chores as a family

· Recognizing and praising responsible actions rather than reprimanding children for irresponsible choices

· Not doing things for children that they are capable of doing themselves (This may mean you’ll have to resist the temptation to clean your son’s messy room while he’s at school!)

Parents and adults are very important role models for children. Our attitude toward responsibility may be learned quickly by our children without ever discussing it with them. We want children to become confident in their skills and abilities as they grow and mature. Stand by the first time a child does a chore to answer questions, offer encouragement or reassurance, and just to know the child can handle it. Find chores in the home that your child can be responsible for such as picking up after themselves, wiping off the table, and cleaning their room.”

Community Activities for Families

Parks and Rec

Experience Sioux Falls

Downtown Sioux Falls

Tea Events

Family Home Activity

Snow Slime!

Here is a great link for a family fun activity.