Language is tricky and I do not mean just the words that we speak. Communication also includes nonverbals like facial expressions, body language, and more. We begin communicating as infants with coos and cries and eventually speak in full sentences. During the first years of life, a child’s brain is growing at such a rate that we forget that while they are learning how to sit, crawl, walk, eat, play, they are also learning how to communicate.

One of the most important things to teach when it comes to responsibility is that it is a positive thing, not a burden. All children want to feel independent and be able to do things on their own. We have all spent our fair share of watching a child put their jacket on all by themself for 5 minutes.. Part of this process is patience on the adults part. Teaching responsibility requires us to give a lot of reminders like, “don’t forget to hang your jacket in your cubby” and “make sure you wash your hands after you go potty.” It is also important to learn to say “no” when needed. Teaching responsibility gives children the feeling of being proud and worthy, it gives their life meaning. As we remind them to throw their lunch plate in the trash when they are finished, make sure to follow up with a word of affirmation. Watch their face light up with joy when they realize they did something responsible. Think about how you would feel if someone said “great job” after you folded all the laundry.