Responsibility
Sharing in work at home can foster a sense of belonging and helps children see themselves as competent and valuable contributors to household and family life.
Illustration discussions:
What is in the pot on the stove? What color is she molding now?
What is Mom pouring into the molds? What other colors can she make?
Why does the other mold have a handle? What will she use the coil of wicking for ?
Activities
Mealtime offers abundant opportunities to share work and fun. Very young children enjoy having their own (safe) duties such as putting a napkin at each place setting. Older ones can set the table and help with planning and meal prep – which may even lead to fun dinnertime conversations.
Pitching in on daily and weekly chores builds a spirit of teamwork and a sense of personal responsibility. Even two-to-three-year-olds can have their own chores, such as putting away their toys. A chore chart can help older kids learn to be self-reliant about carrying out their work.
Work and fun can go hand in hand, and a “family fun night” can accomplish both if the kids do the planning and run the show, but the focus is really on the fun: play games, put on a talent show or a play (be sure to record it for watching on another night), read-aloud a great story, have a campout in the backyard – there are endless kid-friendly ways to share joyful times.
Try making some candles. Wax and wicking are readily available. A mold can be as simple as an empty can with safe sides.