Comments on: Unpack the Lunch: The Child’s Responsibility

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:01:10 +0000

Katie,
When my girls were in school, we were fortunate enough to have an extra fridge in the garage. The best organization and time-saving thing we did was as soon as you get home unpack and REPACK the lunch with them helping and doing as much of it as they could. Mostly me just encouraging now you need a fruit, etc. This also ensured that they would eat it bc they packed it themselves. By doing this you can even re-use some of the containers if you are just putting crackers, etc. back into them.

By: Kassia

Kassia — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:41:35 +0000

My 4yo daughter has a chore list with several things on it. She has to straighten her bed, get dressed, put pj’s away (either in the drawer or in the hamper), clear her dishes after breakfast, wash her hands and brush her teeth. After school (she’s in Jr K) she has to unpack her backpack and hang it up. Before bed, she has to clear her dinner dishes, wash her hands, change into pj’s, put clothes in the hamper, lay out her clothes for the next day, and brush her teeth. I made a chart with simple clip art pictures next to each task so she could look at the pictures and know what she still needed to do. She likes picking a different symbol for marking each one off. I put mine in a plastic sleeve and use a dry erase marker.

I know it looks like a lot, but they’re all small things, and it helps her create a routine where she gets in the habit of doing small things that hopefully will keep her better organized later. Good luck!

By: Haley Peden

Haley Peden — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:02:43 +0000

My husband, brother in law, and I all take our lunches to college and I wrap all our sandwiches in a cloth napkin so we can make sure we have one. Makes it nice when you are eating between classes and have something to unwrap over your lap. They also save space in my own lunch bag as it doesn’t hold multiple containers very well.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:35:38 +0000

Trinity,
Some jobs my son (age 4 as well) is expected to do include:
*put PJs under his pillow and make his bed
*feed his fish
*take breakfast and lunch dishes to the sink
*unload the silverware basket
*fold washcloths and cloth napkins
I’m about ready to add some more now that he’s almost 4 1/2. He is learning to set the table with a placemat underneath that has the place settings drawn on it.
Hope that helps!
Katie

By: Trinity

Trinity — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:54:22 +0000

I started using TV tickets for my 4 year old today to help him learn to monitor his own tv time (he already asks me if his brain will turn to mush if he watches too much tv, which of course, I say yes it can!).
I loved the idea of the ‘chore’ list in order to earn the tv time (we are using 4-10 minute tickets currently). We call his ‘chores’ ‘jobs’ as he’s so into my husband having a job and going to work.
His are age appropriate. Getting himself dressed in the morning (with minimal help) being the main one, but I’m trying to think of other age appropriate chores during the day. He picks up his toys at the end of the day (so the toy fairy doesn’t take them away, of course).
Ideas on other age appropriate ‘jobs’ for an almost- 4-year old?

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:56:47 +0000

Keeley,
Ooooo, I have a 4-year-old. He needs a chore list, too! Sometimes the answer is right in front of my face and I don’t see it. Thanks for pointing out that this is not just for grade-school kiddos!
Katie

By: Keeley

Keeley — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:52:38 +0000

Thanks for this post! It inspired me to print up a chore list for my 4 year old that he’s quite excited about. =) What a great way to keep track of the amount of time they spend on electronic entertainment. =)

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:39:25 +0000

Emily,
It’s so good to hear about responsible kiddos! I am guessing my son could do the same by k-g or 1st grade. It depends on how well you train them about “a place for everything and everything in its place” as they grow. I hope all parents challenge their kids to do a little more than they think can be done…and become surprised by their child’s abilities! Katie

By: emily

emily — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:40:34 +0000

my kids go to public school and unfortunately it is theschools policy that kids maynot share lunches. great advice about cutting up fruit. my kids will not eat a whole apple as is, but will eat one cut up nicely.

also my kids were capable of bringing in their lunch boxes to the kitchen, unpacking them, and placing the box in it’s designated cupboard by kindergarten.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 02:15:07 +0000

I’m fairly new here and have really been enjoying your blog! Being a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, I REALLY appreciate your Bonus Tips re: packing for a smooth lunch. It’s very helpful when children don’t need constant assistance with their lunch. Re: sharing, unfortunately we needed to have a no sharing policy (bc of allergies, etc). I think our lunchroom had policies for providing for children who didn’t have lunches.