I Scream I Scream

I’m really in need of earplugs. The two little monsters are driving me up the wall with their high pitch shrills and screams as they competitively battle each other in the ” Who is louder… get more attention” and the ” I am louder and I should get my way”competitions which run concurrently.

“DADAAAAAAAAAAA!!” screams Roy as he tries to snatch the shape sorter back from Ryan.

” Nooooooooooooo!!” Ryan retaliates and prevents him for taking it. ” My turn to play!”

“Wahhhhhhhhh!” Roy bursts out crying trying to win his way through tears and asking for empathy.

A common sight in your household too? How do you deal with the kids when this happens?

I try to mediate between the two of them without compromising on either one of them. It is really hard to distinguish who should give way and which boy started the “match”. As there is a delicate balance between forcing one of them to compromise even though he may not be in the “wrong” and teaching him to be generous and understanding towards his brother. I do not want them (especially the elder boy) to grow spiteful towards the other sibling and use manipulation to get his own way if I make a wrong judgement to who started the rift.

If the elder boy is in the wrong I will make him apologize to his younger brother and return the toy to him. At the same time get Roy to acknowledge his actions and “thank” his brother for giving him back the toy. I believe in reasoning and modeling good behaviour is the easiest way for them to learn at this age.

It is really tiring getting them to learn to share and play cooperatively. I’m trying very hard to keep cool while giving both parties the benefit of the doubt. No one said that parenting would be easy and sibling rivalry and manipulation can start since they are babies. Nevertheless I am still persisting and giving my best in educating them and enjoying the rare moments when I do see them playing together in peace.

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February 12, 2008

Household chores

Dominique Thoughts chores, Roy, Ryan

Many people may be asking what a one year old can be taught to do? At such an age will a toddler be able to follow instructions given?

The answer is ‘Yes’

Even though they may not follow what you want them to do 100% of the time-as most kids do- they are able to follow simple instructions given to them.

At One he has a vocabulary of 20-60 words even though he is only able to verbalize the most 5 to 6 words clearly. [ Mummy, Daddy, Ryan, Ah Ye, Mama & mum mum-food]

After his 1st birthday I have introduced him to the toothbrush and am slowly teaching him how to brush his teeth. He is able to grab the toothbrush and try to imitate his brother brushing his teeth.

I feel that he is ‘old enough’ to help out by assisting me with some simple household chores.

Roy is learning to:

Clean up- put back his toys after play
Take out the clothes from the washing machine and put it into the laundry basket for me to hang up. * See the insert below.
Take his storybook out from his shelve and bring it me to read for him before bedtime. He also places the storybook back into the cupboard after reading.
Switch off the electronic appliances after use (TV/Radio/VCD player)

Ryan on the other hand has learnt to:

Clean up after playing
Keep his shoes/bag away after returning from school
Put the dishes/cups in the sink after use
Brush his own teeth and do his own toileting

I will be teaching him how to:

Help in folding the clothes ( this is also one of the activities suggested in the Montessori book that I have been reading)
Mentor reading to Roy ( it will help to build up the bond between the brothers and also improve his reading abilities)
Vacuum the floor.

I believe that kids should learn the contribute their part and help in doing household chores from young. This will be good training for them and also teach them basic life skills.