posted by Elaine Light school psychologist
A major component of the PBIS program is helping students to behave responsibily throughout our school community. For example in the cafeteria, students learn that responsible behavior includes using manners, bringing their ID's for the lunch line, and throwing away their trash. Giving our children responsibilities in the home helps prepare them to become responsible and independent adults.
Here are some suggestions from the Parent Institute on ways to give your child responsibility:
• Create a chore list. Assign age-appropriate tasks that your child can do herself.
Add responsibilities as he becomes more mature.
• Involve your child in the process. Let her choose some of the jobs she would like
to do.
• Keep track of your own responsibilities with a “to-do” list and encourage your
child to make a list of her own as well.
• Make time to help your child learn to take responsibility. Don’t rush through
explanations. Make sure she understands what she is supposed to do. Break new
chores into smaller steps while she learns how to do the entire task.
• Don’t re-do her work for her. If she hasn’t done something correctly, show her
how to do it again. Then, let her do it—by herself.
• Allow your child to take some risks. Don’t automatically assume that she can’t
do something.
• Be prepared for mistakes. Talk about what went wrong and how your child can
learn from the experience.
• Praise your child when she demonstrates responsibility. On the other hand,
don’t nag or rescue her when she doesn’t. Let her learn what happens when she
fails to complete school assignments, do her chores or honor her commitments.
• Be patient. According to research, it takes 21 repetitions for an action to become a
habit.
