Chores Help Teach Career Skills to Children
Believe it or not, eventually your children will enter the workforce. Whether they ultimately work in an office, or in some type of service job, or even if they go into business for themselves, there are certain skills that are essential.
Some key workplace skills include following rules and directions, understanding division of labor, being able to fill in for others when needed, knowing how and when to ask for help or for clarification. Even a child can understand that, if they do a good job, their chances of earning a raise or promotion are increased.
You can help your child learn some of these skills now, by giving them a list, or lists, or chores. The chores can be small. Daily chores could include making their bed and putting away their clothes. Weekly chores could include cleaning the playroom or taking out the trash Special assignments could include raking the yard, vacuuming and dusting, or helping with Spring, Fall or Holiday cleanings.
In most work environments there are both weekly and daily schedules. Some tasks must be done each day, some each week, some monthly or quarterly.
Your child, being human, will make mistakes along the way. Resist the temptation to follow behind and fix things for them. Instead, offer them guidance, make suggestions, and have them re-do the job.
Teaching your child to understand instructions, follow directives, stick to a schedule, complete tasks, and stay organized, will help them to succeed later in a work environment.