“Our work is not to teach, but to help the absorbent mind in its development work. How marvellous it would be if by our help, if by an intelligent treatment of the child if by understanding the needs of his physical life and by feeding his intellect, we could prolong the period of functioning of the absorbent mind!” – Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
One of the best things to prepare our kids for adulthood is teaching them how to take care of a home. Chores also teach kids valuable skills they can use when they are all grown and live independently.
Honestly, it would just be easier and faster for mom or dad to vacuum on our own. Does it ourselves, right?
YES…
It really would be easier. And faster.
BUT…
If we did it ourselves, our kids wouldn’t learn. They wouldn’t realise the value of work. They wouldn’t know how to vacuum. We want better for our kids.
So, we drudge through the burden of teaching our kids to clean. And that includes teaching our kids how to vacuum. Awesome!
Learning to cook helps children to learn about nutrition and healthy eating. They are growing up with fast food and junk food at their fingertips, which is part of the reason why child obesity is on the rise! Teaching kids to cook will help instil skills to last them a lifetime.
If our child needs a boost of self-confidence (and who doesn’t!), cooking in the kitchen will do just that. They are accomplishing a task, learning something important, and contributing to the family.
Cooking also creates family time and bonding. Take time to cook with our children, and they will have memories that they can pass on to their families. It may take a longer time to get the meal or snack made, but the moments with our children will be priceless. (Remember to have patience and don’t worry about flour on the floor or spilt milk).
Kids will be more apt to eat what they make. Perhaps, it is the enthusiasm of creating something themselves, but children will be more likely to eat whatever they had a hand in making.
Cooking is a great way to learn life skills. This activity can be beneficial when kids are on their own and won’t rely on fast food and junk food to sustain themselves.
Often parents believe their children are unable to perform basic chores on their own, so they automatically jump in and do everything for them. But this is a big mistake! They should let the kids organize toys themselves and eliminate clutter they made on their own. Although seemingly a little thing, this contributes to forming a child’s personality. It also provides the child with work habits that will facilitate their life in the future!
When children participate in household chores, they learn how to organize their belongings in life. If our children organize toys and put those in the appropriate storage boxes, after play, without our help, it will positively contribute to their personality formation.
The side effect of teaching this well is a tidier house and fewer foot injuries when you step on those little plastic pieces that didn’t make it back in the bin!
Molding clay is the most creative work of the hands, don’t you agree? Children started making the clay itself first, then carefully shaping it into their desired bowl. Then they patiently waited for the clay to harden and be ready to decorate it and finally use it!
All these steps are done by the child’s hands! What an amazing creation!
A kitchen is a learning lab for children that can involve all of their senses. While kneading, tossing, pouring, smelling, cutting, and peeling foods, they have fun and learn without being aware of it. Preparing a meal, snack, or drinks for the family is a fun way for our child to learn to share.
Children who cook at home indicate a “sense of accomplishment,” self-confidence, and feeling of contributing to their families. Good job everyone.
