...can you expect children to take responsibility for cleaning up after themselves?
This is a matter of some concern as I want Khan to learn to be responsible, but don't want to push him to take on tasks he won't be ready for.
Detail:
The other day I visited my friend, who has a two-year-old son. Son is bright and active and sweet. But she never makes him pick up toys he has dragged out; she follows him like a maid, picking up all his stuff. At lunch, he stood up in his high chair and dumped his food all over the floor (it was obviously a deliberate act) and announced, "MESS!" while grinning broadly. I expected my friend to chastise him for making the mess, and tell him to help her clean it up. No, she just shook her head and cleaned it up herself.
I think a two-year-old should be able to learn to clean up their own messes; sure, they may not get every crumb or Lego piece but I think it would set a solid foundation for later chores. I expect my friend's son could easily help sort laundry by color or make his bed too (again, not perfectly but it would set a precedent).
Am I unreasonable? What sort of chores could you expect a two-year-old to help with? My friend's son has a toy broom and dustpan that I have seen him play with so I know he knows how to use them! Couldn't he be taught to use them for real?
Thanks for the help! I will probably have lots of other questions as Khan grows up!
At What Age...
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