Starting around two years old, children start to show a tremendous interest in helping with housework. Cultivating this interest early will ensure that you have eager helpers for years to come. A well divided chore list will teach your children teamwork and a sense of responsibility. Here are some age appropriate ways for every kid in your house to pitch in.
Age 2-5
Children who are age two to five can help by picking up their toys and putting them away. Children this age are also great dusters. Show them how to sort items for recycling, such as newspapers, cardboard, plastic and aluminum. Create a designated recycling center in your home to make this job easy. They can also clear their own plates from the table and put them by the sink.
Ages 6-10
Children age six to 10 can help by wiping cabinet fronts, emptying trash cans, folding and putting away laundry or cleaning sinks. These children can feed the family pet, help prepare meals, set or clear the table and empty the dishwasher. If they have younger siblings, they can supervise and assist them with their jobs. This will allow them to be a leader as well as establish a feeling of teamwork.
Ages 11-16
When children reach age 11 to 16, they’re ready to vacuum, mop or even clean the bathroom. This age can also walk pets, prepare meals, load the dishwasher and even wash clothes. Don’t assume that because they’ve seen you do these jobs, they know what to do — and what not to do. Be sure to give them a lesson in how to work the dishwasher and which detergent to use. You may have to show them more than once and it wouldn’t hurt to post a quick reference guide where they can get answers quickly. Children in middle school and early high school should be encouraged to do jobs around the neighborhood, as well. These kids make great babysitters, lawn mowers or dog walkers. Older children can help with big jobs such as taking clothing to the dry cleaners or bringing donated items to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. If they are good drivers, they should also be called upon to bring younger siblings to sports practices or home from school.
Give kids a sense of accomplishment by creating a chore chart. When they check off a task they will feel the satisfaction of having completed a job. Children should participate in routine cleaning because they are part of the family. But it is okay to reward them for being great kids. You can reward jobs well done with an allowance or a special treat, such as later bedtime, favorite dessert or an outing. Chuck E. Cheese offers a printable clean room chart at their web site, www.chuckecheese.com. They offer 10 free tokens for kids who bring in signed sheets.
There are always going to be times when your kids would rather be doing anything other than cleaning. So it is important to lighten the mood. If you bark orders, your children will see housekeeping as a punishment. If you talk about how much you hate cleaning, your children will hate cleaning, too. Instead, help kids view chores as a team sport and remind them that you are all part of the team. While it’s sometimes easier to just do it yourself, remember that you are teaching your children skills they’ll need when they’re adults.
Comments
Becky
April 7th, 2009 - 10:45:57 AM
i was recently having this conversation with my husband. he never had to do chores as a kid and i did, and i think the effect of the that can be seen today.
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Jeanne
April 8th, 2009 - 11:26:37 AM
YES!! YES!! YES!! Bonnie - YES!! Awesome article! You really set kids up for success when you have them help with family jobs / chores, absolutely! My 17 year old son is autistic (moderate/high functioning) and he has his own chores that he is responsible for each day. He feeds/fresh waters our cats, puts away dishes from the diswasher, puts the just washed clothes into the dryer & starts the dryer and when we clean the bathroom together - he cleans the tub: he uses a special scrubby thing which velcro's onto a handle thingy (don't know the actual name) and he loves to use it (and there are no sprays or liquids with harsh chemicals). He does not make an "allowence" because I wanted him to learn that there are chores that must be done just to live healthfully, but he does have the oppertunity to make some spending cash doing extra jobs - and he asks me for extra jobs to do just that! We always clean the bathroom together and other rooms, which fosters teamwork. I do assist him to rememeber where some of the dishes go - but Iet him try and remember on his own first. I know my son has learned a ton of valueable lessons because he has had the responsibility of his own chores and also has teamed with me in other chores and projects, and acomplishing them with a great attitude. Nothing can be substituted for this lesson - nothing. Thank you for a super smart article, pointing out that it's so important not to just let kids veg in front of the TV or a video game. Get them involved, get them helping - they will reap big rewards for their future!
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