Dancing Panda Fun for All Ages: Family Rules
Need some help doing this activity?
Tips:
If your child needs prompting, you may want to list some common family rules for them. Here are some examples:
Clean your room once a week.
Ask to be excused from the table after you finish eating.
No hitting your brother or sister.
No jumping on the bed.
Kids must help parents set the table before dinner.
Put your dirty clothes in the laundry basket, not on the floor.
Want more fun?
For older kids: Extend the activity beyond your family and ask some of the following questions:
What rules exist at your school or in your classroom? If you were the teacher, what are three rules you would create for your classroom?
What other places do you go where you have to follow rules? What are the rules? Why do you think those are the rules? (Good examples: the swimming pool, sports practice, the trampoline park)
Even grownups need to follow some rules. What are some rules that grownups have to follow? What are some rules and laws that exist in your community to keep everyone safe?
Discuss that rules need to be fair so everyone gets what they need and are able to be successful. Make up some family rules that are unfair, such as only one sibling needing to help with chores. Then discuss what makes those rules unfair.
For younger kids: Provide additional support.
Discuss what rules are, and give more examples of rules within your own family. For example, when kids need to clean up their room, or when they can watch TV.
If your child is having difficulty coming up with their own rules, try creating rules that are the exact opposite of what they are now. For example, “Kids never have to clean their room. Only moms and dads are allowed to clean kids' rooms.” Then, ask your child if that would be a good rule. Why not?