Teaching Responsibility with Responsible Rabbit
Responsible Rabbit is one of nine Characters of Character. This is a trait that is taught to children and implemented as one grows. We learn what we are responsible for in this journey of life, we learn how to become more responsible in our tasks and we learn that being responsible is a big responsibility! But, how do we go about teaching our own child how to be a responsible individual? Responsible Rabbit has a Resource Book with templates, charts, ideas and more which can be found here. Responsible Rabbit also has a Bulletin Board and Poster book which can be found here. Let’s Be Responsible is a simple story with Responsible Rabbit. Plus, at the end of the book is a colored Responsible Rabbit for you to cut out, laminate if you want, put on a Popsicle stick or make a necklace so you can carry this character wherever you go! Our YouTube Chanel has a lot of activies and lessons to engage your children in character building, too!
Tips from Responsible Rabbit on How To Be Responsible:
How can I teach my child to be responsible?
Encourage your child to take on a task, be sure it is age appropriate. You want them to be successful at their efforts
Be a role model, share with your child your responsibilities in a language they will understand
Encouraging them that work comes first and then play, this may be homework or chores
Chores aren’t always easy or fun to do, however, they are part of being responsible. Perhaps a sticker chart as a visual would be fun
Be encouraging, be realistic, be consistent and be a role model
When a child internalizes what it means to be responsible, good things happen:
They will be respectful to their parents, peers, classmates, etc.
They are more likely to pay attention to their own needs, brushing their teeth, wearing clean clothes, etc.
They are more likely to be more helpful, to share and to use polite words
When one is teaching a child to be responsible, it’s important to that you’re on the child’s level. While you may want to teach your three year old to take the trash out, guide them with such chores as this or doing dishes, setting the table, etc. When they are introduced to age appropriate tasks at an early age they will become more responsible and daily tasks will become habit.
Teaching your child that they are responsible for their own attitude is a task that may need some work! By all means, allow your child to have emotions and feelings and to express them. However, try to make it perfectly clear that when they are not responsible there may be consequences. For example, if they don’t finish homework we know that their grades will fall. If they don’t brush their teeth at least twice daily they make get cavities. If they don’t pick up their mess someone may get hurt or things may get lost. If they don’t do their chores, if they use foul language, if, if, if.
This was rather difficult for me when our kids were little. I thought it was just easier for me to clean up their room when it wasn’t teaching them to be responsible for their belongings or their space. When we choose to be consistent on our teachings and guidance, our children will learn to become responsible for their daily tasks, will choose to complete them before even asking if they can do this or that because they know that they are responsible for getting certain things done before it’s play time. Even at the days end, your child may want you to join them in an activity and you might share that you need to finish what you’re working on first. DO join them, don’t brush them off, you’re their role model and will want to be like you, act like you, talk like you and probably marry you! Spend as much time as you can with your children because believe it or not, it goes fast. If and when you’re overwhelmed take a step back, take a deep breath as your words and actions will be heard and will be seen.
Give your child or students responsibilities, it builds character! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Give them chores, make sure they are age appropriate.
For toddlers ages 2-3:
Pick up their toys, collect dirty clothes to put in the hamper, put clothes away, wipe down cabinets and make their bed are a few ideas.
For preschool ages 4-5:
Wipe down sinks and door handles, fold towels, match socks, water plants, clear the table, and vacuum are a few ideas.
Early elementary ages 6-8:
Sweep the floors, get the mail, rake leaves, help with outdoor gardening and indoor gardening, and help in the kitchen preps for meals area few ideas.
Now your child is acquainted to what it means to be responsible and you should increase their responsibilities as you see fit. Older children should be making their beds, helping outdoors by taking out the trash, recycling and yard work, and also helping indoors by keeping their rooms clean, taking responsibility for the mess they make, toys they play with, etc. and if you have pets, by all means let them help out with them! At first it’s probably fun for a child to tackle these responsibilities, and then, they may feel frustrated as to why they need to help out or do any chores at all. Don’t be discouraged! Be consistent, if you let them slack on things they will expect that it’s okay to slack. Encourage them, encouragement goes a long way! Print out this check list from Responsible Rabbit for your child here. One tip is that you display the chart where your child will see it and be reminded of their responsibilities. YOU can also make a chart with your child to engage them in the process and talk about what it means to be responsible. Just a thought….
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin
Click on the image and print out as a visual reminder!