Big Kid Helper
Parent involves child in a simple household task and observes active participation, compliance with norms, and whether the child understands and follows two-step instructions. Covers three social-cognitive milestones at 12-18mo. Three phases: household participation, norms observation, and two-step instruction.
Opens a guided voice session in TogetherTime.
What you'll need
Choose a real household task — tidying items into a bin, wiping a surface with a cloth, carrying a soft item, putting laundry in a basket. Give your child a real (safe) role rather than a pretend one.
How it works
- 1~60s
Start the task yourself and invite your child: 'Can you help me?' or just start and see if your child joins. Does your child notice what you're doing? Try to imitate it? Do a related action alongside you? Or wander off? Tell me.
Watch for: Child notices and participates in household activities
- 2~30s
Now test norm awareness — naturally, not as a test. Try: put something in the wrong place obviously (socks on the table, shoe in the food bowl). Watch your child's reaction. Does your child notice something is wrong? Express it — gesture, vocalise, point, look at you? Tell me.
Watch for: Child notices when something violates a familiar household norm
- 3~30s
Give a simple two-part instruction — all in one sentence, said once: 'Pick up the [object] and bring it to me.' OR 'Go to the [place] and get your [thing].' Say it once. Watch: does your child do both steps? Or just the first, then stop? Tell me.
Watch for: Child follows two-step verbal instruction
What this develops
- MilestoneActively participates in household's daily activities (for example, attempts to help put toys away after playtime)social emotionalprimary
- MilestoneShows understanding of basic norms relevant to {him/her} (for example, knows that paint goes on paper)Thinkingprimary
- MilestoneFollows two-step instructions (for example, "find your doll and bring it to me")Thinkingprimary