Teaching Children About Independence By Empowering Them To Run Errands
Comic by Malaka Gharib (NPR)
This is part of an original story by Michaeleen Doucleff and Malaka Gharib from NPR that shares how parents around the world can teach KIDS (even little ones) how to run errands and feel empowered by their independence. I’ve posted the comic here, but you should visit NPR’s website to read the full article!
Michaeleen Doucleff offers ways parents around the world can help kids learn to run errands over time to build confidence and skills:
Kids run errands in the yard or in front of the house: For young kids, even just going into the back yard or nearby sidewalk to pick herbs or flowers is a huge responsibility. Rosy also likes to take the garbage out to the dumpster, run out to the car to get something we forgot and walk the dog.
Kids run errands to a neighbor's house: For decades, perhaps centuries, kids in the U.S. have run next door to get a cup of sugar or some butter from a neighbor. And this can be about giving, not just receiving. When I was about 8 years old, my mom would send me door-to-door around our neighborhood, handing out fresh vegetables from our garden.
Older kids pair up with younger kids: Around the world, siblings often help younger kids stay safe around neighborhood and on errands.
Prepare neighbors and shop clerks: Before having kids run errands solo, parents acquaint kids with the people who work at the stores, as well as the people they might meet along the way. I also let the market know that Rosy might be coming in to buy some food on her own.
Break up the tasks into chunks: Even at age 3, Rosy loved to buy groceries. That is, she would pay for them at the checkout under my watchful eye. Eventually, she started going into the market, alone, while I stayed outside. One parent in Maryland, had his young boys, starting around age 6, practice getting change for a $5 bill in stores (back when paper money was more prevalent).
Practice the errand together as much as needed: Before kids are ready to run errands on their own, they've often completed the task dozens of times with a sibling or their parents.
Check out the adorable illustrated comic below!
I loved reading about this. And, again, you can find the original article here. I’d love to know if any parents out there have tried this kind of teaching with their children before… and what was the result? If so, please let me know in the comment section below.
Thanks for reading, and see you on the farm!
*Parents: click here to read a quick message from JoMo
