Teaching children the value of finishing.
In our busy world there are some aspects of our work which may never get finished, however teaching our children that completing tasks, finishing agreed goals is a very satisfying and important way of being.
To value finishing a task, etc. is to have the maturity to know that completion is satisfying and healthy.
Children are busy little bees who can start activities and walk away from them quite easily. This is partly due to their age, span of concentration and shifting interests. No matter what age, we can teach them slowly the art and grace of finishing.
Teachers know how important it is to teach children to complete their tasks in class. They will plan to allow enough time or will make optional ways for a child to finish their work. It is all about the importance of actually finishing. As children grow older, they are taught that their performance at school will also be judged on their ability to complete tasks. So, from an early age working towards completing tasks, projects etc. is considered a valuable tool in learning. Incomplete work is considered poor performance.
We can teach our children the importance of finishing by our own actions. Consider:
When you complete a task talk about how it feels to have it finished.
“I feel so glad that I finished mowing the lawn. It is a job well done.”
Affirm your child when they demonstrate that they have finished tasks.
“Well done. Your homework is complete now. You still have some free time before dinner.”
Draw up a list of tasks to do for the week. Tick them off when complete. Show your child how much satisfaction you gain from ticking off that list. Each item ticked off is a job behind you.
Encourage your child to come back to tasks incomplete. Remind them that no matter how much time is needed, completion is all about being successful.
“You have taken some time to clean up your Lego on the floor, but now it is all complete. Well done. The floor is so tidy.”
Remind your child that there is no satisfaction in not finishing. The joy comes from completing the task and then comfortably moving on.
Talk about some aspect of your work that gave you satisfaction once it was completed. Highlight the satisfying feeling you gained from completion. Also, what changed or grew as a result of completing the work?
Teaching your child, the satisfaction of finishing teaches them to appreciate and look forward to moving on. New horizons are born from completing tasks.
“If you’re brave enough to start, you’re strong enough to finish.”