Teaching responsibility to children helps promote self-confidence, build a sense of accomplishment, fosters accountability, improves problem-solving skills, and prepares them for future independence by showing them how their actions have consequences and that they can rely on themselves to make good choices; essentially setting them up for success in life. This an antidote for anxiety! Here’s an outline of the skills we want to develop and practical ways you can implement this for any age!

Skill Building

Self-esteem boost:

Completing tasks and taking ownership of their actions makes children feel capable and proud of themselves, enhancing their self-worth.

Decision-making skills:

Learning responsibility encourages kids to think critically about their choices and understand how their actions impact others, leading to better decision-making abilities.

Resilience development:

Facing challenges and overcoming obstacles through responsible behavior helps children build resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.

Stronger relationships:

When children are responsible, they tend to be more reliable and trustworthy, leading to better relationships with peers and family.

Independence:

By taking on age-appropriate tasks, children gradually learn to be more self-sufficient and independent.

Accountability:

Understanding the concept of responsibility means being accountable for one’s actions, which is crucial for ethical behavior and personal growth

Responsibilities for Age

Responsibilities can and should start at a very young age. We want to empower our children by giving them independence while fulfilling their desires to be helpers in the home. Here’s a handout details responsibilities by age, starting as young at 2 years old!

How to Incorporate Responsibilities in the Home

If you have toddler-age children, you can start implementing this into your daily routine fairly easily. This becomes a new expected behavior in the home. The entire family works together doing various responsibilities to maintain their personal items and shared home. If you are newly implementing responsibilities for older children who previously did not have any expectations within the home, you should have a conversation about the new expected behaviors. The conversation should set the tone that the entire family shares responsibilities and the reason behind doing this not only gives the child more independence, but allows them to develop the skills we mentioned above.

Chore Chart

A visual or written schedule can be a helpful reminder and keep them on task. Post this chore chart at eye level in an area of the home where most chores are being completed (room, kitchen, hallway, etc.) You can make your own or download the ones below and laminate it for easy use. Simply write the daily chores in the boxes and either the parent or child can check mark when it’s completed. Included below is a written chore chart for younger kids and older kids as well as visual routine charts (filled and blank).

The purpose of implementing the routine and chore chart is to help foster independence and problem solving skills, and these are the skills we use when tackling anxiety! Giving your child a sense of autonomy and responsibility allows them to have control over their actions and gives them purpose within the home environment.