From the time your child wakes up until the time they go to sleep at night, there are countless opportunities for learning and growing. In classrooms across the U.S., Kiddie Academy teachers are making a positive difference in the lives of children, helping educate and inspire the next generation of Amazing kids by introducing monthly character concepts. Throughout March, Kiddie Academy’s character education program focused on the value of responsibility through discussions of what responsibility means.
What does responsibility mean? To take ownership of a task and see it through to completion. It also includes a measure of accountability, meaning that one takes ownership of their decisions and actions.
What makes a person responsible? It means you take appropriate steps to get things accomplished and others can rely on you to complete a task.
Tips for practicing responsibility at home.
You’ve probably heard the refrain “they grow up so fast” more often than you’d like to acknowledge. And while it’s hard to imagine your little one as an independent and responsible adult, it may be even more difficult envisioning how you as a parent will help make that happen—especially when, right now, your tiny tot requires assistance with so many things, even the basics. But it’s never too early to teach your child responsibility. Start with these strategies.
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– Focus on what your child can do. Perhaps your little one cannot tie their shoes or read a book by themselves. By acknowledging all the things they can do, you feed their confidence and mentally prepare them to try more challenging tasks.
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– Be available, but not overbearing. When you’re trying something new, it’s helpful to know that someone will be there to support you if you run into a roadblock. Most children feel the same way. If your child is attempting to pick out an outfit, let them make their own choices, but make yourself available as a clothing consultant. Try to minimize your feedback, unless their shirt’s on backwards and their shoes are on the wrong feet!
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– Position responsibility as a good thing. Sure, we’re all expected to take on increasing responsibilities as we age, but this non-negotiable truth may not be appealing to young children. By presenting it as a privilege rather than a burden from the very beginning, you may be able to plant the seed of responsibility as a positive thing. This strategy can be particularly effective if your child has a younger sibling and likes to be recognized for being able to do things that the younger sibling isn’t yet ‘big’ enough to do.
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– Rationalize responsibility as a practical matter. Some children would rather go barefoot than bother with tying their shoes, especially if they’re unaware of the consequences of running around outside in bare feet. If this describes your child, take the time to explain—without sounding too preachy—why it’s important. Even better, ask your child to tell you why it’s important, for example, what happens if they shun their responsibilities such as feeding the dog.
Upcoming Community Events!
Kiddie Academy is offering a free community event, STEM Adventures, this spring to help children of all ages and their parents learn about science, technology, engineering and math through age-appropriate, interactive activities. Events will be hosted at more than 120 participating Kiddie Academy locations nationwide with engaging educational activities designed for families.
Participating locations will host STEM Adventures beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 28. Attendees will enjoy refreshments and activities with two themes: Out of This World and Fun with Machines. Children can create lunar volcanoes, make mini-constellations, a virobot scribble machine, marble run and build cardboard derby cars among other projects.
To find a participating Academy and to register, please visit Kiddie Academy STEM Adventures.
Stay Connected!
Check out our For Parents page to see all of the great resources Kiddie Academy has for parents and children!
We would love to send you our free monthly newsletter, Parenting Essentials! You’ll receive a newsletter by e-mail, full of parenting advice, ideas and information, as well as articles about emerging trends in educational child care.
Thank you for reading along, as we work together in raising the next generation of amazing kids! 
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