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

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.

By: Alyss

Alyss — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:59:57 +0000

What great tips! I especially like the ones about packing fruit ready to eat. I pack my own lunch every day and I know that even I don’t eat fruit unless I packed it ready to eat

You can see two years worth of my “real food” packed lunches here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25518572@N00/

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:11:24 +0000

Carissa,
The sharing food question is a really good one. I remember being surprised at my school’s policy when I started as a teacher – if a child forgot their lunch, the rest of the children were encouraged to be kind Christians and share of their abundance. (Kids weren’t allowed to use the phone for a forgotten lunch.) People would split a sandwich in half, give away a cheese stick or applesauce cup if they knew they could do without, and pour pretzels onto a napkin to share. This was all done before beginning lunch, so germs weren’t really an issue. I came around to the idea quickly; it really built community and gave me a chance to edify my students and compliment their good choices.

In that light, I would recommend sharing with those who “have not”. You’re right about allergies, but hopefully teachers will make other parents aware of serious ones, like peanuts. The default is always to make sure the teacher’s policy allows for sharing. If it doesn’t, you could talk to him/her about the children who don’t have enough to eat for lunch and your son’s chance to learn generosity.

Some of these issues will get easier as your son gets older…and some will become more complicated!

By: Carissa Houston

Carissa Houston — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:27:22 +0000

I really like this post. OT, but changing out of school clothes as noted (and thorough handwashing) ASAP after school helps your child stay well.
What are your feelings on sharing food at school? I’d rather my son share with someone who is hungry than bring extra food home (his teacher indicated that many students’ parents can’t afford to pack a snack) but there are potential allergy and germ pitfalls there.
He’s in Kindergarten, so I try to keep it simple and tell him to only share things he doesn’t bite into or sip from.