One simple and practical way to guide your children while establishing great relationships with them

Children learn through participating and being hands on

Everyday life is full of opportunities for your children to explore, have fun and learn through experiencing new things. However can you establish relationships with your children while guiding them at the same time?

Yes you can!!

One of the most practical and easiest ways to do so is through involving them in everyday things. Such as involve them in your daily activities, like participating in home chores, grocery shopping, gardening, interacting with friends, cooking, folding clothes, hanging out clothes etc.

Allow me to share with you some of my own experiences of how you can include your children with you in your daily activities, to connect and bond with them while guiding them at the same time:

When my children were toddlers, we used to go for morning walks. I was pushing my younger daughter in a pram and my son who was about 3 years old at that time, and would want to join in with pushing the pram as well.

I thought it would be more practical if I got him a toy pram for him to push together with me. He would place his stuffed koala in there and push the pram alongside me. He felt so proud for having his own pram to push; he was enjoying walking alongside me and his sister and casually chatting with us at the same time.

Another example was when I was sweeping the balcony. I got my two children to join in the cleaning process as well.  I got them  another set of plastic broom and dustpan for them to help me. One of them would be sweeping, and the other would be helping carrying the dustpan and trying to use the broom to "push" the dirt in the pan.

My daughter was always very intrigued with my iron and ironing board. To avoid her getting too close to my hot iron,  I got her a miniature ironing board from one of the bargain shops and a toy iron. This way, she could join in the fun of ironing clothes with me, and boy did she feel proud of being able to help with the ironing!

Why involve your children when it would had been easier if you could just do the chores and be done with it? It takes double or triple the time to involve them?

But there are big plusses:

Connections and Bonding

One of the reasons I involved them in my daily activities was it was a great way to connect and bond with them. Because any interactions you have with your children play a role. You are literally creating connections both physically and emotionally each day, while bonding with them at the same time.

The power of FUN interactions

It was just so much fun being in the company of my children, as we laughed, chatted and worked towards a common goal together. When something is fun, they would want to do it again and again, and one of many ways to learn is through repetition. As they repeat a similar task for a few times, it helps them to build mastery and, indirectly, their confidence and self esteem.

Learn through being hands on

Another reason is children learn through being involved and being hands on. When you involve your children in what you do, on top of connections and building relationships with them, it is one of the most practical ways for them to learn. For example, my son with his toy pram was actually practising his motor skills, i.e. how to maneuver the pram while walking beside us, learning to gage the distance for not colliding with our pram etc. Also he learned how to fold and unfold the toy pram and to buckle and unbuckle his toy koala in the pram.

There are so many things your children can learn while being involved in new experiences on a daily basis  – by just being involved in you in your daily activities. You just have to allow some time to involve them! Remember, Children learn through participating and being hands on! and to a child, TIME = LOVE!

Have a wonderful day with your children.

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