“I’m bored!” Those were two words my brother and I learned not to say at our house when we were kids. The first time I said it, my mom told me to read a book. The second time–which was the last time–I was handed a dust cloth! I was taught if I couldn’t find something creative to do, my parents would find something practical for me to do.
As much as I disliked the chores my mom gave me that day, it really taught me deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills. Many of the productive tools I use today began with my mom’s intentional direction and strategic parenting techniques.
I’m not sure if kids still have chores these days. I personally believe chores should be incorporated into a child’s life–not as a form of punishment–but to help them develop into grateful and responsible people. There are many benefits of productive work. Some include feelings of fulfillment, contribution and a sense of accomplishment.
When you teach children to do chores, you teach them to gain satisfaction from contributing to the world. When you teach children to work doing something they love, if they get paid to do that in adulthood, they’ll never work a day in their life.
Chores and hobbies are the perfect combination, but our modern world saps time from both of these endeavors. Today children have access to well over 1000 cable stations, dozens of streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, and social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and 2.7 million other apps—yes million.
Surprisingly, children still get depressed, angry, disconnected, and bored. The skills we learned growing up didn’t come from an app, screen, or device. Many of our lessons came through play and experiences. Even when you learn something from a book, you are actively participating in the learning process
There is no replacement for engaged and experiential learning!
Five Benefits of Experiential Learning:
1. Ability to immediately apply knowledge
2. Access to real-time coaching and feedback
3. Promotion of teamwork and communication skills
4. Development of reflective practice habits 5. Accomplishments are obvious
I’m excited to announce, as a part of the Lovely World series, we are launching our Kids Can Kamp for children 5-15 years old! A 21-Day Plan of Play and Purpose! This exciting online-accessible Kids Kamp includes: daily animated messages, creative engagement techniques, minimized media and screen time, experiential learning and skill-building, fun problem-solving games and so much more!
Learn More! Register Today for Kids Can Kamp! Give your kids fun and exciting leadership tools, knowledge for socially responsible service opportunities, AND a dust cloth for some of those household chores.
by Sheila A.O. Champions Change Lives
Read Printed Books | Love Your Neighbor | Do More Together
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To read some of my previous blog posts, click on the link here and here.