Did you know that a 75-year-old Harvard study concludes that children who grew up helping with household chores are happier with their life? The study examined childhood psychosocial variables and biological processes that predicted health and well-being later in life.
Giving kids chores to do, do not take away from "kids being kids." And it is justifiable when parents think twice before asking for help with household chores help. But in reality, children don't look at the given chores as just chores; it is usually just an activity for them. As we all know, toddlers and preschoolers love keeping themselves busy. When a chore is shared with them, they are almost always looking forward to doing it.
Chores are a simple yet effective way to teach children life skills.
Let's look at the benefits of doing chores-
Learn Life Skills
Kids start to see themselves as significant contributors to the family. They feel more connected to the family. Holding them in charge of their chores can increase their sense of responsibility and make them more accountable. Children will feel more capable of meeting their obligations and completing their tasks.
Higher Self-Esteem
If your children fail a test or block the winning shot, they have failed at what you deem most important. As they are young, they do not have other pillars of competency. By completing household tasks, they may not be star students or athletes, but they will know that they can help the family, begin to take care of themselves, and learn skills they will need as an adult.
Happier as adults
It is hard to believe that chores can make children happier. Also, because it is something that most adults dread, according to another longitudinal Harvard University study, it is true. Children who grow up doing chores turn out happier as adults. Researchers analyzed 456 participants and found that the willingness and capacity to work in childhood was a great predictor of mental health in adulthood.
Better brain development
Big or small, chores are chores. Whether weeding the garden or putting away the groceries, these are movement-based activities, and such activities are excellent learning leaps. During childhood, the functional anatomy of the brain is actively growing. Thus they learn faster. Physical activities like martial arts require reasoning; the child must use the brain to strategize the moves at the performance. Similarly, while a child set plates for dinner, they apply real-life analytical and math skills. They are counting the number of plates and people. This helps a child succeed in other areas, like reading and writing.
Good with relationships
Kids who begin helping out around the house at a young age are more likely to bond better with family and friends when they get older. This is probably because household chores teach children the importance of working together as a family; thus, it translates into a better sense of empathy as they grow up to become adults.
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