1. Chores
Developing good habits around chores at an early age helps children cultivate self-care skills, a sense of responsibility, and effective life management abilities for the future.
While it’s uncommon for young children to enjoy washing dishes, sweeping, tidying up toys, dusting bookshelves, cleaning bathrooms, hanging laundry, or scrubbing toilets, instilling a sense of contribution to household tasks from an early age can greatly benefit their ability to self-manage later in life.
According to a survey by Braun Research, 82% of parents admitted to doing chores as children, but only 28% of their children currently do chores. Many parents hesitate to involve their kids in household tasks, worrying that it might tire them out, leave insufficient time for homework, or cause trouble.
However, a 20-year study by Harvard University revealed a striking contrast: children who did chores were 15 times more likely to have full-time jobs as young adults compared to those who didn’t.
2. Tidiness and Cleanliness
Instilling habits of tidiness and cleanliness can significantly enhance children’s ability to focus and concentrate.
Experts recommend maintaining a clean and organized environment. When children sit down to study, an orderly space can help them engage with enthusiasm and immerse themselves in their books without external distractions.
A survey by Harvard University found that students with neat and tidy desks tend to earn better grades and exhibit cheerful, focused personalities. Conversely, those with messy and disorganized spaces often display sluggish and indifferent attitudes, reflected in their mediocre academic performance.
Don’t underestimate the impact of encouraging children to organize their living spaces independently. This practice enhances their observation skills, fosters self-reliance and self-management abilities, aids in emotional regulation, and empowers them to take charge of their academic pursuits and future life paths.
3. Punctuality
Cultivating punctuality in children lays the foundation for reliability and a strong sense of responsibility.
Consider the contrasting stories of two children in an art class: a boy who frequently arrived late and lacked dedication to practice, and a girl who consistently showed up early, quietly occupying herself with drawing until the teacher arrived. On rainy days, the girl was the only student in class, as her mother made sure she arrived on time despite the weather.
When asked about her secret, the girl’s mother shared: “There’s no special trick. While academic success requires some natural talent, attitude and effort are far more crucial. I insist that my daughter takes her commitments seriously, and punctuality is a prerequisite for diligence in her studies.”
Punctuality reflects self-discipline, self-motivation, and a sense of accountability—traits that make an individual dependable and more likely to seize valuable opportunities for personal growth in the future.
Some schools in the UK have implemented initiatives to promote punctuality among their students, recognizing the potential of this seemingly minor habit to shape their success or failure and reflect their level of discipline and self-improvement. Start instilling a sense of punctuality in your children as soon as they develop a conscious understanding of time.
4. Physical Activity
Daily physical activity boosts children’s cognitive abilities and creativity.
Professor Hong, a brain science expert, asserts that “Exercise stimulates the body to secrete various active substances and enhances brain development. It improves children’s thinking, self-control, endurance, creativity, and collaborative skills.”
British experts also emphasize the educational value of sports. They recommend that children aged 1 to 5 engage in at least three hours of physical activity or play per day. If possible, encourage your child to take up at least one sport from a young age.
After school, instead of letting them lounge in front of the TV or bury themselves in homework, guide them towards physical activities or sports like soccer, badminton, or table tennis.
5. Reading
Daily reading enriches children’s minds and souls.
Educator Suhomlinski famously said, “A child who doesn’t read is destined for academic mediocrity.” While this may sound harsh, it holds a grain of truth.
A survey revealed that children who enjoy reading tend to significantly outperform their non-reading peers academically. Notably, 80% of top-scoring students in exams are avid readers.
Early exposure to books nurtures a rich inner world, fosters deep thinking, and guards against biased or narrow-minded perspectives.
Reading is not just a good habit; it’s a gateway to empathy and emotional intelligence, helping children resonate with the myriad rhythms of life.
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