Parenting In Focus: The little things matter
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Teaching your child about the little things is a huge lesson. It begins with every day lessons that ultimately lay the foundation for teaching your child other lessons.
The little things are things you can encourage your child to do each day. Teach your child to put the milk back in the refrigerator after he has a glass. Remind him to turn off the water when he is done washing his hands. Talk with him about the importance of finishing the jobs that he begins. Do you remember telling him to put away his toys when he is done? Be sure to tell him that he needs to put the LEGOs away after he gets them out.
Teach your child to close the package when he takes a piece of candy. Even discovering that he needs to turn off the light in his bedroom when he is done playing there. There are more little things to help him learn these “little thing” lessons.
Make a happy time when you talk with her about “the little things” she needs to remember to do. Call them “the little things” so she can get used to laughing about “the many little things” she is beginning to remember.
We used to do more of this with our children in times past. With the changes that have happened with computers and televisions, we kind of neglect this part of teaching our children about these little things. We probably are less likely to remind our children today to say “thank you” or “please.”
Give some thought to the things you learned when you were a child. Fill in the gaps you have let develop so that your child will have the benefits of learning some things you learned as a child.
Think about other little things you can encourage your child to do. Does she pick up her clothes from the floor when she changes them? If he broke the lead end off the pencil, encourage him to correct this little thing. Does he put the lid back on the jam when he makes himself a sandwich? When she spills his cereal, does she pick up things right away?
These “little things” are different than chores. They take less time and your child should be the one who does them himself. She is developing the skill of an independent learner. Help her learn this skill. You will both profit from her new learning.
Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.
