Your child proudly proclaims: “No! Me alone, like a grown-up!” at only 2 years old. What if it was one of the levers of his future success in all areas of life?
It is true that involving toddlers in daily tasks takes time, energy and often raises safety issues.
Sometimes, for the sake of protection or to gain efficiency, we are tempted to take over: “Leave it, I’ll do it.”
However, this famous “Me alone!” is in fact the signal of a physiological need controlled by their brain for the development of their intelligence.
Autonomy, the Keystone of Success
Daily tasks are real playgrounds for developing reasoning, memory, organization, emotional management, spirit of cooperation, and concentration...
Skills that we all use daily and which allow us, if they are well developed, to achieve our objectives, to face the challenges encountered, and to create quality social and personal relationships.
And yet...
As Harvard's Center on The Developing Child points out: “Contrary to popular belief, learning self-control, paying attention, and consciously memorizing information does not happen automatically as children grow up.”
Like any skill, they must be developed.
That's why an article published by the University of Minnesota in 2002 states: "Parents everywhere, take note: By letting your children take out the trash, do the laundry, wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away the toys, you can make a big difference in their future."
In summary :
Children's brains are fertile ground that flourishes with enriching experiences and exchanges. We understand that doing too much for them doesn't really help them in the long term; on the contrary, it may even prove counterproductive. It's all about balance. Let's trust them, their Brain will thank us.
Sources:
M. Rossmann (2015). "Involving Children in Household Tasks: Is It Worth the Effort? Minnesota University"
Tepper, D.L., Howell, T.J., & Bennett, P.C. (2022). "Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children's cognition?" Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.
Diamond, A., & Lee, K. (2011). "Interventions shown to aid executive function development in children 4 to 12 years old". Science (New York, NY)
National Scientific Council On The Developing Child. "Building The Brain's 'Air Traffic Control' System: How Early Experiences Shape The Development of Executive Function", Working paper 11.
