Chores: doing them vs. teaching them

Last week, in my classroom, my little artists created self-portraits that sparked a wonderful discussion about resilience and self-image.

It got me thinking about how crucial it is for our kids to feel confident and competent in their abilities—something that truly starts at home!

We all want to raise happy, successful kids, right? One of the simplest (and most effective) ways to do that is by giving them chores!

Research from Harvard shows that starting chores as early as age 4 or 5 can help kids develop essential life skills and a sense of accomplishment.

This helps them become more empathetic and less self-centered, which is a win-win for everyone.

I’m excited to share some fun and valuable insights with you this week!

We’ll explore Ava’s free Adventure Pack, spotlight a remarkable youth changemaker, and dive into some tips on making chores feel less like a chore—complete with handy printable chore cards.

Plus, I’ll be dressing up for a special occasion, and let’s just say my power pet will be slow and steady—can you guess what animal I’ll be bringing along?‌

‌Meet Our Animal Guide for October the Ethical Wolf who embodies the principles of integrity, honesty, and moral courage, teaching us the importance of living ethically in a world of diversity. With tools like integrity, intentions, manners, virtues, and values, Ethical Wolf reminds us that our words and actions shape our character and influence our destiny like the legendary story of the Two Wolves..

Join Ava and the Ethical wolf and unlock the secrets of ethical living together. Download your free adventure pack today! It’s full of fun facts, engaging activities, and valuable lessons that will inspire your child to live a healthy and vibrant life.

Don't forget to collect your copy and get ready for more exciting themes in the months to come!‌

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‌The Power of Chores for Building Confidence and Competence

Let’s make chores less like work and more like play! When kids pitch in with household responsibilities, they not only develop a sense of accomplishment but also learn to see the needs of those around them.

Here are 3 fun ways to get kids excited about helping out:

🃏 Pick a Chore Card‌
‌To keep things easy and consistent, use our printable chore cards! Pick a day of the week, like Saturday morning, and have everyone pull a card to complete their task. Make sure the adults get a card too! It’s a great way to teach teamwork while getting things done together.

🫙 Turn It into Family Power Hour‌
‌Sylvia made chores fun for her teens by writing different tasks on small pieces of paper and putting them in a container. After dinner, everyone would pull one out for "Family Power Hour." It was so enjoyable that her kids would even grab extra chores to do! Start with easy tasks, and let your kids add more ideas to keep the house looking great.‌
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‌🎉 Keep It Fun and Celebrate‌
‌Consistency is key, but don’t forget to make it fun. If you miss a day, that’s okay! Your child might even remind you if they’re having fun with it. Celebrate together afterward—whether it’s enjoying a yummy smoothie or playing in the backyard. If you miss a chore day, acknowledge it and give positive reinforcement when you pick up again next time.

Share Your Stories! I’d love to hear your thoughts on how chores are valued in your family or classroom.‌

‌I’m thrilled to spotlight Kaitlyn, one of my amazing students whose journey showcases resilience. Her story is one of many incredible youth change-makers I have met, which inspired the Awaken Your Inner Hero book.

This is a great story to share with your kids about turning make-believe into real, especially if they are dressing up as a princess or fairy godmother this year!

🧚🏻‍♀️ Meet Kaitlyn Hantz - The Fairy Godmother In-Training‌
‌When I asked the question after our school assembly, “If I could grant you one wish, what would that be?” Kaitlyn replied, “I would wish to be a fairy godmother, so I could grant other children their wishes.”

After being diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and facing paralysis at just nine years old, Kaitlyn chose to uplift others instead of feeling sorry for herself.

Her journey was inspired by "The Compassion Crew," a social and emotional wellness program I co-created, which has supported K-8 students for over 11 years.

As her favorite fairy tale says, “If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”

Kaitlyn now inspires change through the SickKids campaign, working to build a new hospital for children like herself, sharing happiness and hope.‌

📚 Checking In With Your Hero Challenge‌
‌October is National Bullying Awareness Month, making it a good time to explore stories that connect with resilience. For a wonderful tale about kindness and standing up against bullying, I recommend Wonder by R.J. Palacio. It encourages empathy and understanding.

Did you know there are six chapters in our Awaken Your Inner Hero book where kids share their experiences of bullying and how they overcame it? For those of you who grabbed the book bundle already, you can find those stories in chapters 3, 6, 17, 33, 34, and 39. Keep on reading!‌

‌As we wrap up this edition, I’m excited to share a glimpse of me in my costume with my adorable power pet, Slow-Sleepy Sloth! 🦥

Slow Sloth is a reminder that taking our time and dreaming big is essential for growth. Plus, purple is my favorite color because it symbolizes creativity and positive energy, uplifting our vibrations and helping us embrace our unique paths.‌

‌By the way, yesterday was week 6 of my 8-week Saturday Cartoon Creations Masterclass with Mr. Joshua Finch. The adults are having a blast becoming better artists while learning Hero Intelligence techniques to teach their kids emotion management. It’s been so rewarding to see them gain confidence in their creativity and support each other along the way!

As we share our journeys, let’s remember that “We are all made different so we can learn from each other,” turning our unique experiences into sources of inspiration for everyone around us.

Tammy Vallieres, The Hero Teacher