What is accountability?

Accountability is when you promise to do something and then actually do it, without needing someone else to remind you.

Imagine you have a favorite toy, like a teddy bear. You tell your teddy bear, "I will clean my room today!" That’s a promise. Now, if you really do clean your room, you’re being accountable because you kept your promise, no one had to shout at you or shake you to make it happen.

If you don’t clean your room and just leave your toys everywhere, that’s not being accountable. But if you remember your promise and tidy up, your teddy bear (or maybe even your mom) will be happy, and so will you!

Sometimes people need help remembering their promises, like when they have a lot of things to do. That's okay too! Accountability is about trying to keep your word, not being perfect all the time.

So next time you make a promise, think about how being accountable feels, it’s like giving yourself a high-five for doing what you said you’d do!