Hunter's Chores (at almost 6 years old)

Hunter, 5 years 10 months old, taking care
of his personal belongings

I have heard that the amish have a saying that children before seven are (chore wise) a burden, between seven and fourteen they can carry their own weight, and from fourteen on upwards they bring in a profit to the household.

So in other words, a house full of amish seven-year-olds would be able to run self-sufficiently.

Not exactly within the realm of our current cultural expectations. But I think it can serve as a reminder that children, when given the chance, can and do rise to the occasion of responsibility.

Hunter, at 13 months old, "helping" with the dishes

Hunter has "helped" out with anything and everything possible from the time he could sit up by himself. He grew up believing that work was part of life and that he was part of life too, so work has always been second nature to him.

I think that this parenting and educational philosophy has really helped him in developing a strong work ethic, and, at almost six years old, being able to be almost completely self-sufficient as well as a genuinely contributing member of the family.

Hunter at 4 years, 7 months old, vacuuming his room

Since I've found it helpful to see other people's kids' chore lists, I thought I would share what Hunter does around the house at this point in his life:

General Chores 
Checklist type stuff Hunter does on a regular basis

• Clean bedroom weekly
• vacuum floor and closet, 
• dust shelves and windows, 
• organize and straighten bookshelf, closet, drawers
• empty trash can
• Clean own bathroom weekly
• clean and sanitize sink, toilet, mirrors, shower
• sweep and mop floor
• empty trash, clean trash can
• Deep clean bedroom periodically
• declutter
• clean windows, walls, TV, toys, etc.
• Laundry
• sort dirty laundry into dark and light
• often, put family laundry in washer or switch to dryer (he knows how to run the washer and dryer and can do this by himself, but I usually do this with him as he's still learning what can and can't go in the dryer and how to load the washer evenly)
• fold or hang up all of own laundry and put away 
• help fold family laundry, towels, blankets, etc.
• help gather and transport clean or dirty laundry
• change own sheets and bedding
• Empty kitchen trash as needed
• Take trash and recycling to street weekly
• Sweep sidewalks, patio, driveway weekly 
• Check mailbox daily
• Bring in newspaper

Helping prepare dinner, age 4 years 5 months old

Being Part of a Family

Besides his "chores", Hunter helps out around the house whenever and with whatever needed (these are usually some of his favorite things to do)

• Kitchen
• set and clear table
• load and unload dishwasher
• wash dishes for fun
• help prepare food (all the time)
• put leftovers away
• make own meals and snacks
• Carry in and put away groceries, other purchased items
• Help bag items while at the store
• Rake yard
• Help out with desk work 
• cutting, sorting papers, shredding
• Help wash the car
• Help out when mom does deep cleaning
• dusting, washing windows, mopping, vacuuming, etc.
• Help with all projects
• use tools, assemble things, run errands
• Organizing projects
• Basically, anything that we're doing, he's doing too!

Hunter, after a shower, at 4 years 5 months old

Self Care

Personally, I think this stuff goes without saying and isn't necessarily a "chore", but since it's generally on other people's chore lists for younger kids I thought I would include it:

• Hygiene
• shower, brush and floss teeth, comb hair, trim nails, etc.
• Routines
• Make bed, lay out clothes and other items for next day
• Pick up after self
• Keep self organized
• manage calendar, day planner (with help)
• Independent school work
• all school work that he can do independently, such as math practice sheets, reading, penmanship, much more

Hunter, at age 3 years 0 months,
carrying in groceries

His "Employed" Chores
I don't believe in paying kids to contribute to the family, and am not really comfortable with an "allowance", but Hunter has jobs he does to contribute to my home business (part time child care) that he gets paid a small sum for each week.

• Clean up after the kids' meals 
• clear table, put away food, clean entire kitchen
• Clean kids play area daily
• straightening and organizing all toys
• vacuuming carpet
• Clean bathroom used by kids daily
• sanitize sink, toilet, walls, trash can, sweep floor
• Empty diaper pail, take dirty diapers outside as needed
• Help with kids whenever needed
• read stories during circle time
• help with whatever I need assistance with
• Also included on his list is setting a good example, being gentle, focusing on assigned task, etc.

So, there you have it, life in our house right now!

What kind of things do your kids do to help out around the house?

"It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth." 

Lamentations 3:27

Hunter is 5 years, 10 months old

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"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Jeremiah 33:3

Hunter is 5 years, 2 months old

Making a Sandwich: Mark of a Genius?

Everyone seems to be pretty amazed at Hunter's fantastic skills.

I had an childcare inspector come in the other day and comment, jokingly (yet still seriously awe-struck), that "He's just about ready for college!"

One parent I interviewed went on about how, she has a friend with a four year old and, for only being five, Hunter was really smart.

The repair man had his two cents to put in, too, commenting how bright Hunter was.

Their cause for amazement?

His intense sandwich making skills.

I did not think spreading peanut butter and honey on a piece of bread was that much of a rocket science. Seriously.

And while they might have thought he's bright, I just call it lazy parenting.

You see, at three years old, when I was making lunches for three kids under three, Hunter was kept busy making his own sandwich. And setting the table and doing other little things like that that toddlers love to do and keeps them out of trouble (while learning a thing or two, it wasn't all selfish). And now he has extended his culinary skills to helping himself to a significantly wide variety of lunch and breakfast materials, with the exception of those which require flames or intensely sharp blades. Although most of the time, he just ops for a sandwich.

I guess one person's laziness is another person's genius.

"Thou preparest a table before me..."

Psalm 23:5

Hunter is 5 years, 1 month old

How to Eat a Watermelon

"...and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household"

Deuteronomy 14:26

Hunter is 5 years, 1 month old

Happy Birthday

Hunter has been working really hard to give Brandon a nice birthday. He helped link together hundreds of paper chains, made a six-foot banner, colored paper balloons, cut up homemade confetti, and even made his own party favors (graham cracker treats, his own recipe, unasked and unassisted). He even made him a very cool bookmark, which Brandon will be using quite frequently, and a card.

Can I tell you how much fun he had doing all this? And, on a side note, learning a thing or two? (small motor skills, language skills, nutrition, kindness, hospitality?)

"Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many."  

Proverbs 4:10

Hunter is 4 years, 8 months old

Little Hands in the Kitchen

About two years ago I got this great idea for a blog theme but never took it anywhere.

I had been getting some ideas from the book Slow and Steady Get Me Ready, which is about simple, week-by-week activities parents can do to help "prepare their children for kindergarten", beginning at birth. The activities were mostly related to developing small large and motor skills, hand/eye coordination, concepts such as bigger/smaller, same/different, following directions, role playing, etc. Mostly stuff that parents naturally do with their kids, except this book made it all in planned "lesson" format.

I started some of the activities when he was one but never was very consistent with it.

Then one day, when Hunter was around one and a half, I was reading through the book with the purpose of making lesson plans from it, I realized that most of the activities were things that didn't really need a special sit-down lesson time to do at all. I realized that, just by helping me in the kitchen or in the laundry room or in the workshop, he would develop all these skills and more, besides that he finds real-life objects far more interesting than the homemade toys / games they suggested.

From this new approach to parenting of "teaching while including [in real-life activities]" came the idea of what I originally called Preschool in the Kitchen. I sat and thought about all of the incredible learning opportunities that there are in letting your kids help you out in the kitchen. From math, science, small motor skills, to problem-solving, safety, and even social skills, the possibilities are endless!

Here is a little introduction to some of the educational possibilities of working together in the kitchen:

Math There are so many possibilities, including counting, bigger/smaller, more/less, sorting, measurement, conversions, fractions, symmetry, percentages, division and multiplication, etc. Math is present in every recipe and many wonderful problem-solving activities result from it.

Science  Explaining why bread rises when we bake it, what makes water boil, where food comes from, what happens when salt dissolves in water, why lettuce wilts, why milk sours, and so, so much more are present discussions each time you step foot in the kitchen.

From simple explanations about food that you give to your toddler to experiments and observations that you can do with you high-schooler, there are many, many things to be learned about this topic at the kitchen counter!

Dexterity  Stirring, sifting, stacking, sorting, pouring, spreading, squeezing, mashing, whipping, turning, prying, pulling, twisting, pounding, cutting, scooping...

Every activity from baking bread to the simplest task of opening a can of soup is filled with opportunities for small and growing children to use their hands and develop excellent dexterity.

Sensory Smelling spices, running your hands through soft flour or squishy dough or over a rough pineapple, sampling the tastes of ingredients and finished foods, hearing popcorn pop or butter sizzle, seeing cheese melt or muffins rise... The kitchen is a great place for tiny babies to older kids to stimulate their senses, experiences new things, and grow their brains by doing so.

Safety, Health, and Hygiene Why we wash our hands, why we cook meat thoroughly, why some foods need to be refrigerated, how to be safe around ovens and stoves, and more are important elements in working in the kitchen.

Nutrition Talking about vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, calories, and more helps kids understand the importance of eating right as well. From the simplest tasks of categorizing foods into groups (dairy, grains) or talking about what foods have vitamin A, all the way up to college-level nutrition, the kitchen is a great and natural place to learn about this important topic.

Thinking Skills Figuring out problems, asking questions, predicting outcomes, and drawing conclusions abound. Watching and witnessing a million "if...then"'s, causes and effects, reactions, how's and why's, and so much more develop critical thinking skills, logic, and memory.

Social Skills Working together, taking turns, exercising patience, talking through problems, and following instructions are big requirements for kitchen time. Kids must learn to exercise care, forethought, and obedience, not just because "I said so" but because it is vital to the success of the project.

It is a wonderful place for parents and kids to connect and enjoy each other, as well as for siblings to have fun together doing something interesting and productive rather than squabbling over meaningless toys.

Language Working together in the kitchen provides a large amount of language opportunities, including a huge amount of conversation, explaining and discussion, whether it's about a science phenomena or just light-hearted, fun talk about life.

Reading labels, instructions, recipes, and vocabulary words is great for kids of all ages (even parents of babies and toddlers can make their own large print vocabulary words and instructions suitable for small ones to read).

Character and Life Skills Even though time spent together in the kitchen is definitely in the spirit of fun, discovery, and play, you are still teaching kids important lessons about life and developing a strong worth ethic. The Bible says that "if any would not work, neither should he eat." (2 Thessalonians 3:10). That applies to kids, too! Kids, right from the start, are expected to participate in life as far as they are able, to help feed the family in what little way they can.

When children are involved in something that is important, worthwhile, and meaningful, they know they are wanted, needed, and important. This alone builds a true sense of accomplishment, self-worth, and confidence that parents' words alone can never suffice.

Kids are learning, even if it's just a small way, about the economy of life - what it takes to run a household and feed a family. Being part of life, rather than just a bystander, develops a sense of thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to parents, rather than taking parents for granted because they wait on their children hand and foot. Kids are also learning important life skills that they will need as adults - and what could be more basic and vital than how to prepare food?

Besides self-worth, gratitude, and family economy, and life skills, children are developing patience, perseverance, and dedication by being given the opportunity to work through problems and overcome obstacles.

This is in no way exhaustive - it's just the beginning! I'm really looking forward to starting this new blog theme. Let me know if you would like to join in!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." 

Psalm 103:2,5

Hunter is 4 years, 7 months old

Surprise!

We're so nice to him.

"He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains..."

2 Chronicles 32:3

Hunter is 4 years, 6 months old

Apple Crisp

The boys really enjoyed helping me in the kitchen today. We made apple crisp with some apples that were close to going bad if we didn't do something with them.

They both ate up the peels as I peeled them off of the apples, which was a nice healthy snack. Measuring, pouring, and stirring was a big hit, as usual. The recipe was great, as it was sweet but not too sweet, had very little added sugar to it. Tastes great with ice cream or delicious all by itself!

6 to 8 apples, sliced
1/2 c. raisins (optional)
1/3 c. water
1 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. whole wheat or rye flour
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. butter or oil
1/2 c. brown sugar or honey
2 t. cinnamon



Put sliced apples in buttered 9 x 13" pan. Sprinkle with raisins and water. Combine the rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until apples are soft. Serve warm or cold, plain or with a topping.

"Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much..."

Exodus 30:23

Hunter is 3 years, 5 months old

Belguim Waffles!

This morning we decided to have a special, oriental treat of Belgium waffles. We got a postcard from Aunt Abigail in the mail a couple days ago telling of her trip to Belgium and the wonderful waffles she had. So we brought a little of Belgium to our kitchen and cooked up some European goodness!

I always thought they looked disgusting and too sweet, but they were actually quite tasty with Cool Whip (instead of whipped cream, which is much sweeter) and fresh sliced strawberries. Nonetheless, Hunter loved them and eagerly pointed out Belgium on the world map before breakfast.

Maybe we don't get to travel the world but we sure do have a lot of fun, learning, and culture right in our own home. I wouldn't trade moments like this with my boy for all the traveling in the world.

"We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. 10According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness."

Psalm 48:9-10

Hunter is 3 years, 3 months old

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"And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son."

1 Kings 17:13

Hunter is 2 years, 11 months old

Observing the Science of Beans

Today Nana was making beans and invited Hunter to observe their pre-cooked state. She set out two uncooked beans and told Hunter that when they were done soaking, we would compare the soaked beans with the original.

A few hours later, after Nana had left, we rinsed off the soaked beans and took a couple out.

"Look how the uncooked beans are hard and tiny, but the soaked ones are soft and bigger. The beans absorbed, or soaked up, some water and it makes them grow and become softer. Isn't that neat?"

We put the beans back into a pot of water and put them on the stove. "Now we're going to cook the beans and they are going to absorb even more water. When they're done cooking, we'll see how much bigger and softer they get."

Hunter was pretty fascinated, and had fun with this little experiment. He may not totally understand all of it right now but he is storing the information to recall upon later.

Besides, it's pretty cool watching the "magic" of science.

"Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentiles, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel"

Ezekiel 4:9

Hunter is 2 years, 10 months old