Here, Nykki helps Aunt Gina and Papa hunt for mushrooms that will later be eaten.
In an Amish household you will find very young children doing chores. From two years old and on the children of a family are expected to take part in the tasks needed to sustain that family and their community.
This gives young children a sense of rhythm and purpose as well as a feeling of worthiness -of being needed. The tasks are usually set a bar above what the children can do so that they must struggle a bit. This is how they learn patience and to follow through with tasks even when hard. They literally earn the food put on their table and that feels good.
In our modern lifestyle there are not always tasks we can give children that are as meaningful as the tasks Amish children might have. Vacuuming the floor or even cleaning their room seems to have little real-world application to them. It has little to do with survival and with community.
In our home the children start chores as soon as they are able. They have basic chores like keeping their room tidy and helping to clean the bedroom each morning. I link them to "survival" chores as often as possible. Things like collecting wood, leaving food for the birds, helping prepare meals, working in the garden, helping with the laundry, etc.
These chores they do not get paid for. They are expected to do them because they are part of a thriving, family community. However I also give them pennies, dimes and nickles for the tasks that are not as "real world." This gives them a sense of earning money for themselves - the other way people sustain themselves. It also helps them learn about money, what it is and how to manage it and especially how to count it.
One important task we do not have in our home is taking care of pets. We still rent our home and have a strict "no pets" policy. However the landlord is not often around and I find myself thinking of the possibility of a bird or rabbit. If you live in a space where you are able to have pets, the care taking and bounding process is a natural part of childhood development.
Be mindful of the chores and tasks you give your children. Be sure to give them something to do and treat it with respect and watch the flourish!
