Using Household Task to teach your child reading and math

I remember raising 4 little ones.  I wanted so badly to be the "have it all together" mom.  I wanted to spend time teaching my children but the dishes needed to be done and the toys needed to be picked up.  Sigh... I was a tired out and guilt ridden mess. Not a good combination!

One evening my husband had an older gentleman he worked with stop by for some reason.   I was standing at the sink washing the endless supply of dirty dishes.  

The gentleman asked me why the boys weren't helping me, at the time they were like 3 and 1.  I kind of laughed and kept washing dishes.  He looked at me and said, "You aren't doing them any favors by not making them help around the house.  Your job will be more difficult for a bit, but it will be worth it in the long run. To them and you." I chuckled and muttered something about all the water that would be on the floor.  He replied back, "Just think how clean your floor will be!"  

Those comments marinated in my brain and the next evening, I pulled a chair up to the sink and lifted my 3 year old up.  He began rinsing the dishes from that night on.  It did end up being more work for me, but I discovered that he caught on to the job rather quickly and he was a fun and talkative companion while doing the dishes.  We talked and laughed and sang songs...and then we wiped up the floor.  I soon discovered that we could add a little bit of that learning that I was so desperate to add to the boys daily lives.   We talked about colors, and size of containers.  We did experiments to discover which glass would hold more  water.  We counted silverware and talked about beginning sounds.  

This was my introduction to using daily activities to help my children learn.  As a teacher, I would talk to parents about their children's progress, I would always get the same statement, "I want to help my child learn at home, but with work and keeping the house and taking care of the kids, that is just one thing that goes by the wayside."  I was so excited to share ways they could "do it all", well at least do a little more.  

Having your child help with the many chores around the house can help them to develop skills for the future.  In the entry way or mud room your child can learn to hang up their own items, coat, backpack, etc.  Taking off shoes and boots is a helpful skill, as is dressing themselves.  You can talk about colors and work on matching as they look for mittens or gloves that match.  How about shoes?  Can they find their shoes? How about mom's shoes? or Auntie's shoes?  Talk about how the shoes are the same and how they are different. You can also compare sizes of shoes.  Whose is biggest, whose is smallest?  Can you line all of our shoes up in order from largest to smallest?  

Next,  let's head to the kitchen.  Kiddos can practice counting while setting the table.

They can practice size discrimination as they pick out the proper size left over dishes.  

For older kids, let them start cooking, measuring and cutting items. Teaching kids how to do these things the right way gives them confidence.  Start a child out with a butter knife and a banana and allow them to move up to more difficult items as they progress.  

Allowing kids to help in the kitchen has the added benefit of enticing them to eat a wider range of foods.  My second son would fight us tooth and nails over eating broccoli until we got him working in the kitchen.  

Kids can help with groceries as well.  Take them to the stores and have them look for certain items on your list.  

You can talk about letters and sounds while doing this. Counting is an skill to reinforce. Colors as well.  Older kids can have a list of their own or a snack budget to be in charge of.  When my kids got old enough to purchase their own snacks, it was amazing to see how they became economists.  When the groceries come home, show the children how your cupboards are set up and let them put items away neatly.  Help them to see how you have classified foods and it you are really brave, let them classify things and put them away.  As my kids reached middle school, I had them start to make meals each evening.  They would budget and meal plan, do the prep and as they got into high school, they could even do the shopping.  We taught how to safely prepare food, how to prep food, and how to clean up.  My boys are great cooks to this day and my daughter loves to bake.  

My daughter was in middle school when we started to give her a budget for back to school.  We shopped at the mall and at thrift shops.  She learned to look for bargains and stretch her money.  She eventually learned to sew and knit to make accessories that she wanted.  

Into the laundry room!  Sorting clothes works on classification skills and colors.  You could sort clothes by sizes and who they belong to.  Young children can fold simple items like towels and find matching socks.

Teaching your child to vacuum and clean the bathroom help them to learn skills they will need as they grow.  It helps them to be responsible and to feel that they are truly a part of the family.

I am thankful to the gentleman who spoke to me that evening long ago.  My children are reliable and self-sufficient grown ups now.  They are confident and able to care for themselves and others around them.  I hope that you will give this a try with your children.