Giving children a small amount of age appropriate chores is a wonderful way to help them feel as though they are contributing to the family, introducing them the life skill of home management as well as developing a healthy work ethic. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to instill a sense of personal responsibility which will also serve to build their self esteem.
In addition to daily routine self care responsibilities, there are several household chores that are manageable even for toddlers.
Here’s a sampling of a few age appropriate chores:
*Age 2-3 *
- Pick up toys
- ‘Help’ make beds
- ‘Help’ feed pets
- Dust low shelves
- Carry flatware and {non breakable} dishes to and from the table
- Carry dirty laundry to basket or specified area
* Age 4-5 * (in addition to above list)
- Make a bed {with a simple comforter}
- Empty waste baskets
- Bring in the mail
- Water plants
- Set Table
- Unload and help put away groceries
- Help with light yard work (picking up sticks and rocks before mowing)
* Between 6-8 years of age*
(any of the above list, plus…)
- Keep their room and play areas neat and tidy
- Water plants
- Pour drinks
- Make beds
- Sort laundry
- Sweep floors
- Fold clothing
- Put away clean clothes
- Assist with basic food preparations
- Help wash cars
- Answer phones
* 9-10 years of age *
(any of the above list, plus…)
- Change sheets
- Help with meal preparations (like peeling veggies and measuring ingredients)
- Prepare simple snacks
- Wash dishes and/or load/unload dishwasher
- Walk and clean up after pets
- Vacuum
- Sweep
- Take garbage out
- Help with yard work (pulling weeds, raking leaves)
*Age 11 and up*
(more ‘adult’ chores can be introduced in addition to chores listed above)
- Plan and cook meals (with adult supervision)
- Wash their own laundry
- Clean bathrooms
- Change light bulbs
- Mop floors
- Mow lawn
- Clean out garage/shed
- Supervise younger children with adult at home
One of the best ways to introduce and motivate children to complete chores is with visual charts or checklists. With very small children, verbal encouragement goes a long way. Older children may do well with an extra monetary incentive, but that depends are your personal family values.
Here’s a few options:
Create your own custom chore cards with photos of your home like these featured on The Creative Mama.
Let kids choose their own chores on a rotation basis with this Free Printable Kid’s Job Application and Job Cards courtesy of Living Locurto.
Tip Junkie featured a fun {printable}weekly cart and ticket system .
Children are rewarded with tickets for completing chores or by displaying good behavior which can be redeemed for store items or activity rewards.Conversely, tickets can be taken away for failure to complete chores or bad behavior
If you’ve ever considered connecting an allowance to chores, My Job Cart.Com offers a great online chore chart and reward system that is free, easy to use, and will help in organizing and motivating your kids not only to complete chores, but also to learn first hand how to Save, Share and Spend.
For even more chart ideas, check out this article:
‘Ease Morning Madness with Routine Charts for Kids‘
