这些事情必须让孩子们独立完成

Take care of pets

照顾宠物

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.

家庭的所有成员都应平等分担养宠物的责任。幼儿课程开发员及顾问Laura J. Colker Ed.D建议父母监督宠物和儿童之间的互动，但也鼓励父母允许自己年幼的孩子为家里的宠物提供必需品，比如喂它们食物和水。Colker博士说，让孩子们承担这一责任能帮助他们培养同情心。

Help with siblings

帮助自己的兄弟姐妹

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 justenoughbrave.com, 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.'

对于抚养幼儿的父母来说，由于纯粹的需要，可能这一点已经自然而然地成为习惯了。当新生儿降临时，刚刚学会走路的大宝宝可能会有点吃醋，但让大宝宝帮助照顾小宝宝会大有帮助。justenoughbrave.com网站的博主凯蒂·布莱克本承认道，'我四岁的女儿会帮她的小弟弟做一些简单的事情。当我手忙脚乱时，她完全有能力为我拿一片尿布或湿巾。'

Fold laundry

叠衣服

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.

大多数父母并不指望自己的孩子叠衣服（或很难让他们自愿做这件事）。Colker博士说，父母最繁琐的任务其实充满了有利于孩子发展的因素。她建议让幼儿参与到将袜子配对的家务活中，因为这不仅能让孩子做数学，还能让他们区分颜色和形状。现在你可是拥有让孩子整理袜子的完美理由了！而大宝宝们可以帮忙叠衣服，并整理他们自己的衣服。

Grocery shopping

去商店买东西

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.

巴尔特博士认为这是孩子能够帮忙的一种活动，并解释道，这为孩子们提供了学习实用技能的机会。比如，在去超市之前，你的孩子可以帮助你制定购物清单，并检查是否已购买了这些产品。想要扩大学习经验，可以在购物之前告诉孩子们你的预算，然后要么帮助他们计算总额，要么边买边估算总额。这既涵盖数学又囊括了推理技巧，所有的小朋友都必须拥有这两项技能才能够独立。