We parents would love some help around the house, wouldn’t we?
How about asking the little helper at home?
Yes, young children may not able to do the chores independently.
But, they can learn to do chores with you and eventually, do them independently as they grow up.
There are many perks of introducing chores from an early age!
So, let’s delve into understanding why chores matter and make a checklist of age-appropriate chores.
Ready?
How chores help kids
Remember the time when you as a kid helped your mother in the garden or your father to clean his scooter/car?
There was a bit of joy in helping out and bonding. At the end of it, you felt as if you had accomplished something important!
Research suggests that when kids help with household chores from a young age, it has a positive influence on their later life.
A study conducted at the University of Minnesota posits that taking part in chores at 3 or 4 years is a great indicator of a child’s success in their mid-20s.
So, yes, doing chores will help your little one:
- build self-esteem
- delay gratification
- learn to handle their emotions better
- inculcate life skills
- make them responsible
- develop their social skills
- equip them to be independent
- make them self-reliant
Participating in chores also has long-term mental health benefits for kids in their later years.
A bigger plus, children get ready for preschool years or later schooling years.
So, before we make a list of busy chore ideas for kids, let’s see how we can plan them.
5 quick tips to plan for kids
Whether your child is in preschool or has already begun schooling, you can always ask for them to help you do the chores.
This goes a great way in helping them become more confident in their skills.
So, when you decide on the household chores to include your child in, understand that each child is different and is varied capacity.
1) Depends on a child’s age
The finger grip and gross motor movements in toddlers are still developing. They would have begun to show independence within their familiar environment.
Nevertheless, it is ideal to start with getting them to help you in a small way and build on from there on as they grow older.
Children between 2 and 3 years can comprehend simple instructions but may still require to do chores under adult supervision.
A four-year-old or older have better dexterity. They would have the capacity to communicate, understand, and independently do a task. Therefore, you can give them simple everyday tasks.
2) I do, we do the chores together
Your child can initially or if they are younger can help you in a small way. This is also a great way to introduce housework to them.
These can be activities such as helping you with sorting the vegetables, grocery shopping, washing clothes, etc.
You can show and guide your child to the activities. Plus, it is a fun way to make them comfortable with the idea that chores are good.
3) Family chores
Set aside chores that you can do as a family. Plan this daily, weekly, or monthly.
This needn’t just be one big task that needs to be done simultaneously. This can be a series of small tasks too!
When kids get to work together with their parents to complete a chore, it helps break the myths around chores.
More importantly, it helps in bonding and understanding your child better.
4) Make a chore chart
Sit down as a family and make a chore chart. This enables your child to observe how you can realistically plan a day.
Chore charts can be interactive, colourful, and needn’t just be a list of things to do.
You can start with a week. They are going to be must-do chores, weekly chores, and surprise chores.
You may also make chore wheels for surprise chores.
When you plan with your child, they are more likely to participate in doing the housework along with you or independently.
5) Rewards for completing chores
Positive reinforcement is a great way to help your child ease into doing or participating in doing the household chores.
Rewards also motivate your child to voluntarily participate or do chores.
A reward doesn’t mean buying something or a gift. It can be as simple as a day out, choosing dinner for a day, having ice cream with parents, etc.
All that household chores that you plan your child to take part in or slowly do them independently, allow them to make mistakes or not complete the tasks initially,
Allow space for your child to throw a tantrum.
Just stay patient and assure your child!
21 age-appropriate household chores for kids
We have made a quick list of ideas that you can choose from depending on your child’s age group.
For 2-4 year olds
The children in this age group begin to show independence.
They may have begun to self-feed, drink water by themselves, pick up things, etc.
Also, there are at a stage where they are already in preschool or are about to enter preschool.
Thus, it is a wonderful stage to introduce them to tasks that are cooperative and independent.
Children in this age group will be able to assist you as they do the chores.
1. Clean up their toys
2. Put clothes for washing
3. Wipe the spills
4. Eat by themselves
5. Help set the table
6. Help you make the bed
7. Help to dress up
8. Help clean your vehicle
9. Help arrange the books
10. Help you clean up
11. Help you with sorting vegetables/fruits
As your child turns 3 or is closer to 4 years, you can allow them to do the chores by following your instructions, independently or making it a routine.
For 4-6 year olds
By the time children are 4 years, they are independent.
Thus, it is a good stage to introduce them to a few complex motor-movement based activities such as chopping vegetables, stirring the vegetables, folding clothes.
They understand your instructions in a better manner. Their motor movements are more confident.
12. Make their bed
13. Wash hands
14. Dress themselves up
15. Arrange groceries
17. Help with drying clothes
18. Help in watering plants
19. Help in cleaning their own bike/cycle
20. Help dust the house
16. Help in the kitchen
21. Help in walking the pet
To conclude: Chores for kids
Young children love to help their parents and are thoroughly excited about doing chores!
Thus, it becomes for us parents to hone in on this and encourage their participation.
This makes them ready for preschool, school, and more importantly life!