Helping others

Q1.Should children help their parents with household chores?

Ans:Yeah, I think kids should help their parents around the house because it's just part of living together as a family. Everyone lives there, so it makes sense that everyone does a little. Also, kids feel more grown-up when they help, especially with simple things like setting the table or feeding a pet. Another point is that small chores don't really hurt anyone. They don't take much time, but they still matter. And honestly, it makes everyday life a bit easier for everyone, which is always a good thing in a busy family.

Q2.What can children help parents with?

Ans:I think children, regardless of the age, can help their parents in many different ways. Even 2-year-olds can contribute to chores by performing simple tasks like picking up their toys and books, putting clothes on clothes hooks, or setting placemats on the dinner table. Older children can take on bigger chores like feeding pets, taking out rubbish, tidying up their room, or cleaning up after a meal.

Q3.In your view, should children be taught to help others?

Ans:Definitely, they should. Lending others a helping hand is really important for increasing children's self-confidence, self-esteem and life satisfaction because it improves mood, reduces stress and anxiety, brings fun and fulfillment to kids' lives. Moreover, it helps kids operate successfully in society, I mean, make new friends, strengthen existing relationships and boost social skills in general.

Q4.Should parents reward their children when they help others?

Ans:Well, I think that, on the one hand, it's a great idea to do so as it's a way for kids to connect earning money with doing work, using time and putting in energy, which can teach them the value of work and stimulate their entrepreneurial spirit. But, on the other hand, I doubt that it's worth doing as it doesn't help internalize motivation to do either homework or housework. And what is worse, it can make children become addicted to being rewarded for everything they don't want to do, which may lead to terrible results.

Q5.Who should teach children to help others, parents or teachers?

Ans:Well, I think parents, first of all, as children learn best by watching their parents, but definitely teachers as well, alongside with parents, as they are influential in reinforcing and extending these behaviours within the school context. Still, I would give the palm to parents as parents have always been regarded as important role models in terms of ensuing behaviour of their children, so it's most certainly their job to nurture and guide a child's natural inclination to help to pitch in so it becomes a lifelong habit, especially given the fact that parents have a great opportunity to show their kids how good it feels to brighten someone's day, which will surely nudge their kids' helping gene. So yeah, I'd cast my vote in favour of parents, considering teachers only as parents' help-mates, nothing more.

Q6.Do you think parents should give advice to their children?

Ans:I don't think that parents should always provide advice to their children. While parental guidance can be valuable, it's essential to strike a balance between offering advice and allowing children to learn from their own experiences. Overly prescriptive parenting can have negative consequences. Firstly, giving too much advice can stifle a child's independence and hinder their ability to make decisions autonomously. Children need opportunities to learn from their own successes and failures, which is crucial for their personal growth and development. Moreover, excessive advice can create a power dynamic where children feel controlled or manipulated by their parents. This can lead to resentment or rebellion, as children may perceive it as interference in their lives. Furthermore, the world is rapidly changing, and what worked in the past may not apply to the unique circumstances and challenges that each generation faces today. In such cases, parental advice may not always be relevant or applicable. In conclusion, while parental guide is important, it's equally important to recog children need the space to learn, grow, and their own decisions. Parents should strike a balance between offering advice and allowing their children to develop their independence and problem-solving skills.