Teach Your Child Responsibility and Boost Confidence with this Simple Daily Task: Folding Clothes

As parents, we all want our children to grow up to be responsible and confident individuals. It’s important to instill these values in them from a young age, and one way to do so is by assigning them simple tasks around the house. Not only does this teach them the importance of contributing to the family, but it also helps them develop a sense of independence and self-esteem. In this article, we’ll delve into one specific task that can make a big difference in your child’s development: folding clothes. Read on to learn more about the benefits of this simple chore and how you can get your child involved.

Folding Clothes

Suitable Age: 3+

Materials: 

• Two laundry baskets (or luggage)
• 1 basket consisting of various socks
  • Sweaters
  • Towels
• 1 basket is empty

Direct Aim:

• To fold clothes independently

Indirect Aim:

• Refining of the muscles in the hand
• Confidence
• Fine motor skills
• Independence
• Order of sequence

Presentation/ Child instruction: 

1. Show the child where to find this activity and invite her to carry the first laundry basket to her work table, ask her to return for the second laundry basket.
2. Indicate to the child, where she should place the full basket (luggage). (Usually on the floor between the teacher-guide and the child). The second basket may be placed either on the side of the child or on the top left side of the table. You can ask the child to look inside the basket and choose an item that she would like to fold.
3. Once the child has chosen the garment, she will place it on the table. At this point, you can show the child how to fold that particular item (making sure not to block the visibility of the child). Once you have shown the child, unfold the item, and invite the child to have a turn. Once the child has folded the garment, invite her to place it into the empty basket (the basket for folded items).
4. Continue to follow these steps folding each garment, allowing the child to try, and placing the garment into the basket until the child does not wish to fold any more clothes or all the items are folded.
5. Ask the child if she would like to fold more clothes. If she declines, invite her to return the baskets to the shelf.

Point of interest:

• The various garments in the laundry basket or luggage, and becoming independent

Control of Error: 

• Unable to fold an item
• Forgetting to place the folded items into the basket
• A messy work area

>> Read more: Teach Your Child Responsibility and Boost Confidence with this Simple Daily Task: Dusting