Whenever children know their help is valuable, they feel valued...and they'll also be more likely to do helpful things for us and for others in the future.

A little while ago, we received a delightful surprise in a package of messages from a preschool class. The teacher had asked the children to draw and talk about what makes them feel happy and what makes them feel sad. One child told her teacher, "I am happy when I get mom the toilet paper when she calls out from the bathroom!"

Feeling Competent

When children do grownup things, like setting out a snack or sponging the table, they feel more grownup. In the long road towards independence, they need those small steps along the way when they can feel competent, capable, and more confident. What a good feeling it can be for children to know they're accomplishing something helpful and contributing in their own way.

We can't really expect young children to do much on their own, especially when it comes to cleaning. Because of safety reasons and because of preschooler's own limited ability, they need assistance from adults. As you work together, you will gain "helpers," and children will gain that good feeling of working at your side. You might also learn more about that child in the time that you're spending side by side.

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