PPISMP 1.03_TASK 3_Nurul Izzah binti Abdul Halim_8 December 2021

HELPING AT HOME DEVELOPS YOUR CHARACTER

As we begin the new century, we have a sense of how much
character matters. We need good character to lead purposely,
productive, and fulfilling lives. We need character to have
strong and stable families. (Thomas L,2020). A good character
gives a positive impact for oneself and for people. Therefore,
according to Prof Madya Dr Zuraidah Abdullah in her report at Berita Harian on 27th April 2021,
parents are the main model in a family and usually follow the children in shaping their identity and
character. It is important as parents to value and emphasize positive character development in
their children. Character training starts at home and should start early. The best opportunities for
teaching positive character found in everyday, real-life situations. When they see attitudes or
behaviours in their children that they do not approve of, they should take the opportunity to
reinforce positive character traits. In the same way, parents should recognize and praise positive
character. Whether they like it or not, when it comes to character training, more is caught than
taught. Children will easily learn what is right and expected if they see and experience it daily.
This will show that in this essay, there are three points that will discuss how helping at home
develops our character which makes us become more caring, more responsible and a kind
person.

Helping at home develops a caring personality. Caring is actually someone or something
that shows kindness and concern for others. It is one of the characteristics that need to be
nurtured by parents from home. Caring people are polite, considerate, generous, affectionate,
patient, understanding, loving, and forgiving. We do not deny that parents will teach it since we
are in kindergarten. They go out of their way to make others feel special, to make them happy or
feel more confident in themselves. Our parents are also sensitive to
others’ feelings. They care what others have to say. They listen rather
than talking someone’s ear off about their own problems or opinions.
They are quick to forgive. They voluntarily serve others, even when they
don’t necessarily have the time and from there we as children can
emulate the loving attitude of our parents at home. It clearly shows that

empathy, caring, and compassion can be seen since childhood, but that to become like that,
children need adults to help us at every stage of childhood to nurture these seeds into full
development. Parents should work to cultivate our concern for others because it is fundamentally
the right thing to do, and also because when we can empathize with and take responsibility for
others, we’re likely to be happier and more successful. We will have better relationships our entire
lives, and strong relationships are a key ingredient of happiness (7 Tips for Raising Caring Kids
— Making Caring Common, 2018). All the parents would make sure there is nothing lacking in
love, care, education and money for us. All of them are given. We did not have to say we needed
something. Even though they had to work, our parents always cared for their children.
Furthermore, families can prioritize kindness with small routines like taking time at dinner every
night to ask everyone to share two kind things they did, or writing down simple ways to be caring
that they can all discuss together. It will add love in the family as well as cultivate a loving nature
in us. So, it was clear that helping at home developed us into caring people.

The second thing that will discuss is how helping at home develops character such as
becoming more responsible. Responsibility builds character. It will define how people see us, as
well as how we handle everyday situations. This attitude of responsibility can be seen when we
are able to complete everything on time, get up early and fulfil all commitments with respect. It is
your words, actions and behaviour that determine whether we are responsible or not. Pray early
times have also nurtured us to be more responsible people. It also allows the members of a family
to interact with each other, know and understand each other, feel united, and develop a stronger

bond. Moreover, this character can be seen when our parents tell
us to take care of our tasks before having fun. For instance, if we
need to do the dishes but we want to go outside, do the dishes
first. Then, we can be outside without the responsibility hanging
over our head. This is one of the character buildings through
chores. Helping household tasks such as washing clothes, starting
with picking up clothes, washing, drying and folding as well as storing clothes, will make all
children learn how to complete assigned responsibilities in the given times. It's never too early
for children to start doing chores and helping out around the home. For me chores teach life skills,
responsibility, self-discipline and teamwork. It’s not what our parents do for their children that will
help them in the future, but what they have taught us to do for ourselves. Research by Marty
Rossman (2012) shows that involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a

positive impact for the future. It is clear that helping at home really develops me into a responsible
person.

In addition, we will discuss the third point which is helping at home develop us to become
kind. Actually, kind people are forgiving. Kindness does not come easy. It takes work and effort
to be kind in all the moments in our life. At home, our parents always forgive us if we make
mistakes. They did not judge their children or scold them if the fault
is unclear. So that, it will develop children's character to be a kind
person. Therefore, forgiveness is an important part of kindness
because it is something that many people struggle with, which can
lead to a lot of negativity both for oneself as well as others. It is hard
to let go of something we are holding onto, but the more kind we are,
the easier it is to do. Meanwhile, parents also show good behaviour,
such as visiting neighbours and helping people who are in trouble. Starting from this point, children
will be easily influenced to do good deeds. This clearly shows the good behaviour done by the
parents at home develops the child to be a kind -hearted person.

In conclusion, a good character can be seen when we are at home. Parents play a very
important role in shaping the character of children from an early age. According to the master
class in their articles, being good requires having more than one good character trait. A good
character possesses a number of positive traits, as well as strong moral principles that benefit the
universe they exist in. If we allow bad habits to develop in us, our character becomes bad. It is
therefore of great importance that children should be presented with the best models for imitation.
Ideals of courage, truth, simplicity, honesty, and purity should be constantly placed before them
to follow and live up to them. We form good or bad habits not only in childhood but later on too.
We all grow a little every day, either better or worse. Bear in mind, even being able to form good
habits at home, it is our responsibility as children to help parents at home.

(1236 words)

REFERENCES

Shikha thakur. (2020, July 7). 10 Ways To Create Family Bonding And Its Importance.
MomJunction. https://www.momjunction.com/articles/family-bonding_00633863/

Davis, T. (2013, March 26). Character building in the home. SheKnows; SheKnows.
https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/987081/character-building-while-
homeschooling/

7 Important reasons why kids should have chores. (2017). Momentumlife.co.nz.
https://www.momentumlife.co.nz/stories/why-kids-should-have-chores

The Benefits of Chores. (2012). The Center for Parenting Education.
https://centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/responsibility-and-chores/part-i-
benefits-of-chores/

News18. (2017, September 22). 7 Household Chores Kids Can Help You With. News18;
News18. https://www.news18.com/news/indiwo/parenting-and-family-7-household-
chores-kids-can-help-you-with-1524883.html

Prof Madya Dr Zuraidah Abdullah. (2021, April 27). Ibu bapa sebagai rakan pintar
pendidikan anak. Berita Harian; Berita Harian.
https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/pendidikan/2021/04/811113/ibu-bapa-sebagai-
rakan-pintar-pendidikan-anak