Responsibility

noun: responsibility

• the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
• the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.
• the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization.
  Responsibility in our lives comes in many forms; it may be given, it may be taken, it may be shirked and it may be accepted.  Teaching those entrusted to us the intrinsic value of responsibility will mold great learners, exceptional workers and phenomenal leaders.  Great leaders throughout history have commented on responsibility as an integral quality, characteristic and outright obligation:
  “The time is always right to do what is right.”  –Martin Luther King, Jr. 
  “The price of greatness is responsibility.” –Winston Churchill
  “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”  –Abraham Lincoln
  …and then there are the simple ‘to the point’ quotes such as:
  “If you mess up, ‘fess up.” –Unknown
  Even Aesop Fables wrote about the importance of responsibility

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

     "Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

     "I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

     "Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; "We have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil.

     When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger - while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for days of need.

Responsibility in Sports activity

Scholastic teacher-made-activities Responsibility

Resources for Activities for grades K-5

Even dogs show responsibility

Teaching Responsibility to your Children

Tips for teaching kids responsibility: by Alonna Friedman

1. Start Young- you can’t suddenly spring responsibility on a teenager and expect he will know how to follow through. Imagine your high school daughter calling you at work with the complaint: "Mom I'm hungry. When are you coming home?" You say: Make a sandwich! She replies: "I'll just wait for you." Handing out responsibility to kids needs to start early.

2. Let Them Help you- Don't grumble and mope when it's time to do housework. Smile and invite your son to help (even if he makes the job take longer). It's team work, precious time with your child and a lesson that will one day send him off into the world with the ability to sort lights and darks!  "When your child is invited to participate, he feels valued," says Dr. Ruskin. "He will take these good feelings and learn to take ownership of his home and feel pride in maintaining it."

      3. Show Kids the Way- Play to a child's skill level, suggest both experts. First, you can demonstrate how to complete small tasks. If your son wants a snack, show him where the apples are and how to wash one off. Does your daughter always throw her dirty clothes on the floor? Place a hamper in her room and show her where the day-old jeans belong.  Make responsibilities age-appropriate and even use the word "responsibility," says Dr. Barzvi, when informing your son about the tasks you expect him to complete on his own. It sounds grown-up and important!

      4. Model Responsibility- And talk about it. Banish a tableful of dirty breakfast dishes with the line: "Now we put our plate in the sink," as the meal ends. Use the same inclusive "we" phrases over and over to show how you can easily solve problems. Ask other family members to follow suit. You'll be surprised how quickly these actions become a habit for kids.

5. Praise Them- Kids love to help. They want to help. To them, chores don't feel like work. Keep up positive vibes by offering specific praises for actions. "You hung your coat on the hook and I'm proud of you!" Or, "Thank you for emptying the garbage in your room!"  Children will develop a sense of ownership for any repeated action. And this constant communication helps them take initiative in other situations, says Dr. Barzvi, such as at school or on a play date.

      6. Manage your Expectations- When you ask a five-year-old to make her bed, it may still be lopsided. Don't criticize. Recognize a job well done. The next time you make your own bed, show her how you do it.

      7. Avoid Rewards- At least at first. There's a time and place for rewards and allowances, but both experts agree that being responsible isn't it. Don't assume a reward system has to be in place for your child to learn responsibility. While a reward chart can be effective for some kids, others respond just as well to praise, spending time with you and feeling the boost in their self-confidence. Save rewards for tasks that go above and beyond what you expect to be your child's normal household responsibilities.

8. Provide Structure and Routine- Kids thrive on order. Instead of offering rewards to get them to meet responsibilities, set up a morning routine with a positive end result. Your son must brush his teeth, eat breakfast and get dressed before watching TV. (Notice TV is not being offered as a reward -- it's just the result of finishing the routine.) And he should be able to complete the routine in any order that works for him.  A younger child may not fully realize these tasks are his responsibilities, but allowing him to create a healthy structure will give him the tools to one day develop strategies for getting homework done without you nagging (too much!), suggests Ruskin.  School Night Checklist

9. Teach Consequences- Learning to take care of his things also helps a child develop a sense of responsibility for his actions. To get your son to clean up after an art project, inform him that he won't be able to play with his crayons and scissors until the next day if he leaves a messy table. Then you need to follow though and take away his supplies if he shirks his responsibility. The more you enforce the rules, the more likely he is to clean up without being asked -- or at least without whining about it too much. "It is ultimately your child's choice to not put a toy away," says Dr. Barzvi. "Parents are afraid to let kids suffer, be sad or angry, but if we always solve children's problems, they will not learn to be responsible as they grow up."

If your daughter has to pack her bag for school each day and forgets her basketball sneakers, then she won't get to practice that afternoon. As much as you want to bring her sneakers to her, don't! Hopefully she'll be more cognizant of remembering her responsibilities next time.

Apps for Responsibility

Time Timer (age 7)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android
This customizable timer app can teach kids time management skills while encouraging them to work efficiently and stay on task.

My Video Schedule (age 7)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Kids can learn structure, time management, and motivation with this scheduling app made especially for kids and adults with special needs.

Timers4Me -- Timer & Stopwatch (age 10)
Android, Kindle Fire
You can use your own ringtones and images with this customizable app for multiple timers, stopwatches, and alarm.

TextMinder SMS text reminders (age 12)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
The everyday sound or vibration of a text message can serve as a one-off or reccurring reminder with this handy tool.

Remember the Milk (age 13)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle Fire
Teens can use this free task-organizing app to stay on top of everything that needs attention.

Evernote (age 13)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook HD
Users can access their notes, images, lists, sounds, and links from any device or computer with this fantastic productivity app.

Skitch (age 13)
iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle Fire

This Evernote add-on lets kids annotate and share images like maps, web pages, photos, or original sketches. 


GSRP preschool Responsibility video

Seek out responsibility and be responsible for yourself, our school and our community.