Children Learn, June 2026

The experiences we give our children can shape them for the rest of their lives. In today’s society, many children have the opportunities to play on sports teams, attend music lessons, join a drama group or take art lessons. When I was growing up, there were some of these things, but not the proliferation of activities available today. We had more freedom in other ways. From a young age, we played outside with the neighbour kids. The only rule was that we had to be home for supper. My own sons had a similar rule. I had a cowbell I would ring if they were nowhere in sight at dinner time, and they would appear. 

My sons also had chores they were responsible for. There was a list of jobs posted on the fridge. The weeks of the year were numbered one to three. The three boys would consult the calendar to see which week we were in, and then run their fingers down the list to see which jobs they had that week. Over the years, that list became almost blackened from their fingers. As children, they would rather play than do chores and so resented their obligations. The jobs sometimes went beyond the list on the fridge. Helping in the garden in the summer, cutting grass, putting tomatoes through the juice extractor for spaghetti sauce and helping make dill pickles and saurkraut were all extra jobs. We all pitched in with canning so we would have preserved foods to use during the winter months. Giving children responsibilities in the home helps build a work ethic—something everyone needs to be successful in life.

  Children aren’t always receptive to what their parents have to impart. In fact, as teenagers, they push hard in the opposite direction. When things go off track, like a van in the ditch or being dropped off at home by friends, the worse for wear, that’s when valuable lessons can be taught. Paying for damages and helping repair the van, then having to get up the next morning at the usual time to do your chores, serves as a great lesson in responsibility. We are all responsible for our own actions. In spite of the children’s poor choices, we love them and hope the lessons learned will serve them well in their lives.

Giving children experiences that broaden them is also important. Learning to ride a pony or a bike, visiting another country, being allowed to explore, and staying in a hotel for a weekend where there is a pool are all exciting. Their friends would sometimes come and stay when they were in trouble at home. Showing compassion and helping others are at the top of my list for lessons I tried to impart.

Spending time with your children is so important. It doesn’t have to be exotic or expensive. In our house, it was having dinner at the table together every night. We ate together and talked about our day. No cell phones or interruptions in those days. Not so easy to do today, but important if you really want to connect with your kids.

My final words on what children learn. We are their daily example. They look to us for many things, but the unspoken things are the most powerful. How we treat others, our values, and our integrity are utmost.  Set a good example, and you will raise great people.