We love kids by EXPECTING them to
Contribute to the World Around Them
In our 21st century world,
we have deprived most children of the joy of making a contribution.
It wasn't long ago, people had more children because they needed more workers on the farm. We can and should be thankful this is no longer the case, but there is a great gift that comes from making a meaningful contribution to the world around us, and most modern children are being deprived of that gift.
Instead of providing children taks, which make a difference today, we tell them to be faithful learners and extracurricular participants in order that they might make a difference tomorrow. Meanwhile, they starve for meaning in a world where their daily activities benefit no one.
Enforceable Expectation:
Children are welcome to have dinner, play on the soccer team, play with their friends, etc., once they have finished their contributions to the family, team, or classroom.
If jobs go uncompleted, privileges go unenjoyed.
Parents and educators are welcome to take pride in a job well done once they have helped children apply their developing knowledge and skills to real-world contributions today!
As parents and educators, we cannot consider our job done when the lessons we are passing on never get beyond the level of abstract ideas.
All of us have our own ideas about how much children are capable of contributing, but history tells us it is quite a lot, and the modern neglect of childhood contributions is not serving anyone well.
By increasing our expectations around kids' capacity to help, work, and produce, we set them up for a life of meaningful service and connection in a world they play a part both to keep running and improve.
Additional Benefits:
Kids who contribute . . .
1. Are more respectful and grateful to the people and places they reside.
2. Learn practical skills of managing self and maintaining space, and avoid the modern phenomenon of "adulting."
3. Develop confidence in their capacities.
4. Don't experience a disconnect between learning and the real world.
5. Have adults in their life who are less stressed trying to manage everything alone.
6. Receive the joy of a job well done.
Ideas for Implementation:
Help kids make meaningful contributions . . .
1. Give kids a job in the beginning, middle, and end of their day.
2. Invite them into projects/chores with you.
3. Hand your projects/chores off to them.
4. Design learning projects which help children serve the classroom, family, and community.
5. Put in a garden or animals in your home or school for kids and adults to take care of together. Better yet, have kids plan, prepare, and take charge of it.
6. Read histories and classic literature showing kids working hard and contributing.
7. Study the lives of children in "less-developed" parts of the world, where kids are still expected to help with meaningful tasks.
8. Adopt an elderly neighbor and take on their housework load.
What are your expectations around childhood contributions communicating to children?
Pick one of the above ideas to experiment with this week
and do your kids the favor of expecting more from their ability to meaningful contribute.
For more on raising your expectations for children,
visit here and go to the "High Expectations" topic tab