p. 14 | Teaching the Children to Help by Mrs. B. P. Foote

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1916

Teaching the Children to Help

By Mrs. B. P. Foote

MRS. B. P. FOOTE

It has been said, and truthfully, too, that during the first four years of a child's life, it learns more than during any succeeding four years. Therefore to commence the early domestic training of the little ones is of great importance.

As soon as the baby can walk, or even creep, it can be taught to do little errands, such as picking up things that have fallen on the floor, closing doors, and carrying small objects from one room to another.

True, the first time or two much patience will be required; for a child of that age does not understand readily. Some say, “Oh, but I can do it so much quicker myself!” Yes, certainly, you can do it quicker and much better; but where is the child's domestic training to come in, if you do all the household tasks yourself? Is it to be postponed until he has come to feel that all his time must be spent in play?

The habit of helpfulness is most easily cultivated at an early age; for very young children are usually more willing to help than are those who are older. Therefore it is essential that they be taught to enjoy their work, and that the habit grow with them.

In order to get the best results, it is necessary to cause the children, little or big, old or young, to feel that they are helping because they want to, and not because they are compelled to do so. Suggestions frequently bring better results than commands. Then, too, it is well to begin early to develop initiative. This will come only with knowledge and the feeling of responsibility.

Here is a somewhat incomplete record of the work of one seventeen-months-old baby for one day: Got up at seven o'clock; mamma dressed her. Had breakfast at eight o'clock. When sister got up, baby brought her shoes and dress. When baby came in from her daily outing, she closed the front door, and hung up her coat, sweater, and hood on her own low hooks. After her nap, she picked up soiled clothes after they had been sorted, and put them into the tub. Picked up the broom that had fallen on the floor, and put it where it belonged. Put the mending pieces into the box for mamma. Brought mamma's new shoes out of the bedroom. Picked up a spoon that had fallen on the floor. Brought the dog's dish in for his dinner. Shut the kitchen door. Got the hammer for mamma, and then put it back in place again. After having her hands washed, she carried some of the dishes from the pantry to the dining table. Got out the fresh fruit for dinner. Helped to carry a chair into the sitting-room; also ran several little errands to and from the other rooms. Had another outing in the afternoon, and hung her wraps up as usual when she came in. Went to bed at 6:30.

Do you wonder that when the mother of this child is sick, she wants her baby with her? Does it pay to spend a little time each day teaching the baby to help?

One little girl always wanted to “help;” and when she was only a year and a half old, she was allowed to wipe the spoons, knives, and forks, even though mamma had to wipe them after her. It was not long before she was able to wash and wipe the dishes very nicely. At the age of six she could do this work almost as well as any one, although of course not very rapidly.

A mother taught her child to help by making her feel that it was a privilege, a treat, to help mamma. When the child had been unusually good, she was told that she might set the table or wash the dishes, or do some other light work.

It will do no harm for little boys to learn to do housework, also, as there are sure to be times when such knowledge will be of great benefit.

Stories may be told which will help the children to understand how to work, and how to perform small tasks correctly. For instance, one child was somewhat careless about wiping the dishes; but after being shown the “tears” on the dishes that hadn't been wiped dry, she was very careful.

Instead of putting everything out of the children's reach, it is better to put things where they can reach them easily. Have hooks set low, so the shortest arms can reach them. It will take much time to teach the little ones when to touch some things, and when to refrain; but it will pay in the end. When mamma isn't feeling well, it will be very convenient if the children know how and where to get a clean towel or apron or dress, and are able to reach and put on their own wraps.

Encourage the children to dress themselves, and to do it quickly and neatly, by having a pleasant “surprise” for them occasionally when they do extra well.

A little special thought and attention given to teaching the children to help will reveal many ways in which they may be taught to enjoy helping, so that they may be a blessing to themselves and to others.