TheJohn MaythamShow

An article in the Wall Street Journal speaks about how household chores have many benefits for children-academically, emotionally and even professionally.

In a survey released last year, 82% of adults reported having regular chores growing up, but only 28% said that they require their own children to do them.

Parenting expert Nikki Bush says that busy parents do the chores by themselves and deliberately exclude children because they find it to be easier, quicker and less messy.

She says there are lots of benefits to children doing chores. If parents continue to do things for their children it gets difficult to develop a positive attitude and become independent. Children love copying their parents; they see them as their heroes and role model, she says.

We are the hidden curriculum, children learn more from what they can see than from what they hear

— Nikki Bush - Parenting expert

How to get children buy into doing chores:

• Be invitational even if it will take time and be messy
• Structure the chores if you can
• Talk about chores differently
• Praise in between moments and don’t only praise good school marks

Lessons children learn by doing chores:

• Laying the table is mathematical
• Learning how to stack the dishwasher is a special planning exercise
• Children learn colour coordinating skills by folding sox

Here are some of the twitter responses to the topic

@RediTlhabi Little things but important life lessons. My daughter is 2yrs but already wipes off after spilling stuff. pic.twitter.com/LGpLAnsgBp

— Montsho Pheeha (@MPheaha) August 31, 2015

@RediTlhabi @bushnikki wen my parents could afford a helper they insisted that we stay with most of our chores like cleaning own room.

— DKH (@africanbison) August 31, 2015

@Radio702 @RediTlhabi my aunt passed in 2010, leaving behind a 10 year old daughter who was never taught how to do chores. It was difficult.

— Justice4All (@Unathi_Kwaza) August 31, 2015

@RediTlhabi what an amazing topic. All parents need to hear this. I am learning soo much that'll help me when i'm eventually a mother. Thx

— Zanele Maseko (@ZazMaseko) August 31, 2015

Listen to the full conversation on The Redi Tlhabi Show:

This article first appeared on 702 : Believe it or not, house chores have many benefits for children - academically