這些事情必須讓孩子們獨立完成

Take care of pets
照顧寵物

The responsibilities accompanying owning a family pet should be equally shared with all members of the family. Laura J. Colker Ed.D, early childhood curriculum developer and consultant, recommends that parents supervise interactions between pets and children, but encourages parents to allow their younger children to provide necessities like food and water for the animals in the family. Dr. Colker says that allowing children to share this responsibility assists in the child's development of empathy.
家庭的所有成員都應平等分擔養寵物的責任。幼兒課程開發員及顧問Laura J. Colker Ed.D建議父母監督寵物和兒童之間的互動，但也鼓勵父母允許自己年幼的孩子爲家裏的寵物提供必需品，比如餵它們食物和水。Colker博士說，讓孩子們承擔這一責任能幫助他們培養同情心。

Help with siblings
幫助自己的兄弟姐妹

For parents raising young children, this one might be something you've naturally fallen into the habit of, out of pure necessity. Toddlers might experience jealousy when a new sibling joins the family, but allowing your older child a role in the process can go a long way to help. Katie Blackburn, blogger at , admits, 'I have my four-year-old help out with simple tasks for her little brothers. She is perfectly capable of grabbing mommy a diaper or more wipes when my hands are tied with a little on.'
對於撫養幼兒的父母來說，由於純粹的需要，可能這一點已經自然而然地成爲習慣了。當新生兒降臨時，剛剛學會走路的大寶寶可能會有點吃醋，但讓大寶寶幫助照顧小寶寶會大有幫助。網站的博主凱蒂·布萊克本承認道，'我四歲的女兒會幫她的小弟弟做一些簡單的事情。當我手忙腳亂時，她完全有能力爲我拿一片尿布或溼巾。'

Fold laundry
疊衣服

Folding laundry is a task that most parents don't look forward to (or hardly get around to, by choice). Your most tedious task, according to Dr. Colker, is actually full of helpful components for your child's development. She recommends that young children take part in matching socks, as this not only incorporates math, but identifying colors and shapes as well. Now you have a perfectly good reason to set aside those mismatched socks for your little ones! Older children can help fold laundry and put their own clothes away.
大多數父母並不指望自己的孩子疊衣服（或很難讓他們自願做這件事）。Colker博士說，父母最繁瑣的任務其實充滿了有利於孩子發展的因素。她建議讓幼兒參與到將襪子配對的家務活中，因爲這不僅能讓孩子做數學，還能讓他們區分顏色和形狀。現在你可是擁有讓孩子整理襪子的完美理由了！而大寶寶們可以幫忙疊衣服，並整理他們自己的衣服。

Grocery shopping
去商店買東西

Dr. Balter lists this as one of the many activities children can help with, explaining that it provides children with the opportunity to learn a practical skill. For example, prior to a trip to the supermarket, your child can help you make your list and check items off as they are added to the cart. To extend the learning experience, discuss your budget with your child before you begin shopping, and have your child either calculate the total, or make estimations of the total amount as you go. This incorporates important math and reasoning skills that all children must have as they become independent.
巴爾特博士認爲這是孩子能夠幫忙的一種活動，並解釋道，這爲孩子們提供了學習實用技能的機會。比如，在去超市之前，你的孩子可以幫助你制定購物清單，並檢查是否已購買了這些產品。想要擴大學習經驗，可以在購物之前告訴孩子們你的預算，然後要麼幫助他們計算總額，要麼邊買邊估算總額。這既涵蓋數學又囊括了推理技巧，所有的小朋友都必須擁有這兩項技能才能夠獨立。