SourceTeaching younger children how to help around the home can be hard, but there are some age-appropriate chores that even very small children can help with. Starting early helps your children to see chores normal as they age, teaching them to be responsible and appreciate the work that you do at home.
To help them feel appreciated with their chores, make sure to praise them. If they’re helping out, acknowledge it and thank them for their help. Create a chores chart to help them keep track of what they’re doing, and give very clear instructions about what you want them to do.
Chores for Children Aged 2 – 3
Even the under 3s can help with some very simple household tasks. Basic tidying is a good place to start. Start by putting them in charge of putting away their own toys when they’ve finished playing or tidying up things like their craft supplies when they’re finished with them.
Small children can manage things like putting laundry in a hamper, filling the food dish of a pet or even wiping up small spills in the kitchen.
Chores For Children Aged 4 – 5
Once they turn 4, your child can begin to manage some more difficult chores. Show them what to do first and do the chore with them a few times until you know they understand what to do and how to do it safely. At the age of four, they should be able to make their own bed, bring in the mail from outside, clear the table after a meal, water potted plants and put away cutlery from the dishwasher, although they shouldn’t handle anything sharp.
Chores For Children Aged 6 – 7
Now your children can begin to understand how to start doing some jobs around the house for themselves and can be more proactive about helping. Instead of just their putting toys away, they should now be able to keep their own bedroom tidy. They could start to help you sort laundry, make their packed lunch for school, set the table for dinner and clear afterwards, sweep floors and rake leaves from the garden.
Chores For Children Aged 8 – 9
At this age, children can take on a lot more. If they are able to understand computer games, they can learn to load and start the dishwasher, especially brand name dishwashers which are usually very simple. Add more chores to their duties, and show them what to do.
By the age of 8, your child can load the dishwasher, help you to put away grocery shopping or vacuum. Ask them to help you to cook dinner to get them to start learning cooking skills. They can put away their own laundry, make their own breakfast, walk the dog and mop floors. Teach them some useful skills by showing them things like sewing on lost buttons.
Setting chores helps children to learn to contribute around the home, and can be a great way to help them to learn useful skills they use as they get older.
