Break tasks down to allow children to experience success.
Example - A preschooler struggles to write his or her name:
1) Model correct pencil grip.2) Work on one letter at a time. You do one and then let your child do one.
3) Teach the skill but don’t do the work for him or her.
4) Children give up the belief that they can’t when they achieve small steps.
This Positive Discipline Tool Card will take a lot of patience. My kids are bit older now, but I still find myself doing things for them because of time pressures. Of course, that is because I didn't take the time to do the Small Steps when they were younger. But I really do like the concept of this tool card. I will be interested to hear from those of you with younger children. I think younger children are the most eager to try new things by themselves. The trick is to allow them the time to take Small Steps.
3 comments:
I have a 17 month old, 2 1/2 year old, and 4 year old boys. In the past year I started teaching my 4 year old how to do chores. My 2 younger ones do chores easier because they want to do them. 17 month old is learning how to clean up by example. 2 1/2 year old sometimes will beat the 4 year old taking off shoes and hanging up his jacket and clearing his plate and cup. The younger you start the easier it is. I still do things for them because I am in a hurry, but what little they can do really helps in the long run. My 4 year old makes his bed and picks out his clothes to wear before he comes out of his room. Big help even if the bed is lumpy.
We love this card! It is so true and tough as well. We are going to work on it this week and see how it goes.
What a great reminder. After reading "anonymous''s post, I wish I could say that I had done this more when my kids were younger and so eager to learn! But it's never too late, right? Instead of complaining that certain chores aren't being done right, I'm going to check-in with the kids and go through a few small steps.
Brad, I know you have a number of followers....I'm hoping more people will post their experiences using the cards!
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