IELTS Speaking Part 3 | Children Learning to Help
How can we encourage children to help others?
One way to encourage kids to help others is by leading by example ourselves.
As parents or guardians, when we show acts of kindness and generosity, I've noticed that children are quick to follow suit.
Another technique is through storytelling, where we focus on heroes who lend a helping hand. Not only does it entertain the little ones, but it also instills the value of compassion.
Plus, when they do lend a hand, praising and rewarding them reinforces this behavior. Just last month, I gave a round of applause to my niece for sharing her toys, and she's been doing it ever since.
In what ways do parents want their children to help them (around the home)?
I suppose it depends on how old the child is, I can think of a couple of examples.
Traditionally parents might encourage their children to help do some simple chores around the home such as helping to prepare for meals. This might include helping with some simple food preparation tasks or putting the plates, knives, forks and spoons and other things on the table.
Also, parents usually try and get their children to tidy their rooms once they are old enough to manage it, or they will teach younger children to at least put their toys away after playing with them.
Do parents in your country expect their adult children to give them help?
When the children are grown up it depends a lot on how close the family is and where the children live.
Adult children who still live at home are expected to help out with certain things at home. It might be cooking, cleaning, washing or anything else that needs done. Or if the family have animals, the children may take over looking after them rather than leave it for their parents to do.
Another example, and I have a friend who does this, is helping with younger siblings, she helps look after her little brother who is still a small child. She does lots of things with him like collecting him from school and helping him with his homework.
In general, who do you think is more willing to help with the housework, boys or girls?
In my country it’s more traditional that girls help with it than boys. Boys aren’t really encouraged much to help with such things, although some do it. I think if there are maybe physically demanding tasks to do then boys are usually more willing to get involved, they seem to like that sort of thing better than girls.
In general, who do you think is more willing to help others, boys or girls?
Generally, girls like helping others more.
They seem to have a natural instinct for it whereas boys are more competitive, so helping someone else isn’t always their first choice, but it depends on who the other person is.
There’s a big difference between helping a family member, helping a friend at college or university and helping someone you hardly know. I think boys are more likely to help their brothers, sisters and friends than other people they maybe don’t know so well.
Do you think children naturally want to help others, (or do they need to be taught this)?
No, I don’t think it’s anything natural - it’s something we are taught is a good thing to do. If you watch two young children playing, they will often be very competitive and even fight over certain toys. It’s the parents or teachers who teach children that it’s better to share things and help each other. Eventually it becomes a natural instinct as an adult to help someone if we can see that they are having difficulty.
How can parents teach their children to help others?
Just like with most things, children learn by example. So, if parents make sure their children see them helping others, the children should learn that it's normal and expected as they grow up.
For example, a parent volunteering at a local food bank and taking their child along can really shape how the child sees community service. Through experiences like these, children not only witness selfless acts but also feel the intrinsic rewards of giving firsthand. It sets a foundation for lifelong altruism.
How can parents teach their children the value of helping others?
There are many children’s stories about helping, sometimes it’s friends helping each other, sometimes it’s animals, like in many Disney movies.
It can be difficult for parents to try and explain why people help each other to a young child, but through stories and movies children can see quite quickly the advantages of having friends, helping people and many other aspects of life.
Parents should show their children that helping is a good thing in as many ways as possible, through their own actions, through stories and other examples.
Do you think children can learn about helping from other children?
Yes, it’s possible, for example, if a child receives some help from another child and they feel good about getting that help because it enables them to do something they were having difficulty with. Maybe they will want to try and help another child themselves in a similar way.
Helping people makes the person giving the help and the person receiving the help feel good so when a child experiences that it should reinforce the idea that helping in general is a good thing to do.
- How did you help at home as a child?
- Do you think children should help more or less than they do nowadays?
Do you often help kids? How?
Yes, I often help kids in my community. I tutor them in subjects they're struggling with, help them with their homework, and mentor them. I also volunteer at a local after-school program where I help kids with their homework and teach them basic life skills.
How can parents help children to be organized?
There are a few things parents can do to help children be more organized. They can first sit down with their child and help them make a list of tasks that need to be completed, both short-term and long-term. Then, they can help their child create a schedule or timetable for completing these tasks. Finally, they can provide their child with any resources they need to be successful, such as a planner or calendar.
Should parents teach helping others to their children?
Yes, parents should definitely teach their children the importance of helping others. Not only is it a good way to instill values in them, but it can also help them develop empathy and compassion. Additionally, volunteering or helping out in the community can be a great bonding experience for families.
What can children learn from their parents?
There are a lot of things that children can learn from their parents, such as responsibility, empathy, and compassion. Additionally, they can learn about healthy coping mechanisms, how to manage emotions, and how to set boundaries. Parents can also serve as role models for their children when it comes to developing positive relationships and conflict resolution skills.
When should parents encourage their children?
Parents should encourage their children when they are behaving positively, making progress towards their goals, or displaying acts of kindness. This encouragement can help children feel good about themselves and foster a sense of self-confidence. Additionally, it can motivate them to keep up the good work and continue striving to improve.
Who should teach children to help others – parents or teachers?
Both parents and teachers have such important roles in teaching children about helping others.
You see, parents are a child's first role model, and their lessons really stick with them. But teachers also have a big impact, you know? They do things like organizing group activities and school-wide service projects.
For example, parents can teach everyday kindness, while teachers can set up programs like a canned food drive to show the importance of community assistance.
Where do children learn skills in your country?
In my country, kids usually pick up skills both at home and school.
At home, they learn life skills like cooking, cleaning, and saving money. On the other hand, schools focus on academic education and teamwork through activities and sports. There are also cool clubs and workshops for coding, art, or public speaking, so they get a mix of everything.
How should parents encourage their children?
Parents should encourage their children by acknowledging acts of kindness, big or small.
When my younger brother helped me wash the car without being asked, my parents gave him extra praise, and he beamed with pride. They also sometimes use reward systems, such as extra playtime or a favorite treat when he completes his chores without reminders or helps around the house.
Positive feedback like this motivates him to continue being helpful.