As your child transitions from toddler age to preschool age and middle childhood, she will be able to contribute to the household by completing chores, reports Healthy Children. Adding a few chores to your child's day will help teach her responsibility and team work. You can help guide your child to complete her assigned tasks by being patient and by giving her jobs that are age-appropriate. Healthy Children recommends outlining your expectations, following through and using positive praise to help motivate your child to complete her chores.
Pick Up Toys
Requiring your child to pick up toys will help teach him how to be responsible for his own things and how to treat his belongings appropriately. Tara Aronson, author of "Mrs. Clean Jeans' Housekeeping with Kids: Family Pickup Lines (and Household Routines) That Work with Less Work From You," writes that children as young as 2 can help pick up toys at the end of play time. You can help by offering guidance so your child remembers where to put everything and by praising his efforts even if things are not always put away where they belong.
Set the Table
According to Barbara Coloroso, author of "Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline," children can begin setting the table at about age 4 or 5. Start by showing your child how to put napkins and silverware on the table and gradually work up to having her put dishes and food on the table. Your child can also begin to clear the table at this age so have your child take her plate, cup and utensils to the kitchen sink or kitchen counter when she is done eating.
Take Out the Trash
Children can begin emptying the trash bin and taking the full bag to an outside trash canister around the age of 6 or 7, says Coloroso. Show your child how to remove the bag from the trash can, tie it and where to put it outside. Remind your child that he needs to empty the trash at a specific time each day, such as after dinner, or ask your child to take the trash out as soon as you notice it getting full. Encourage your child to check the trash so he can take responsibility for taking it out before it is overflowing and too heavy for him to carry.
Make Their Bed
One of the most common chores that parents assign children as young as 3 or 4 is to make their bed when they get up in the morning, writes Coloroso. Making the bed gives your child the responsibility for keeping her bedroom neat and tidy. If your child wakes up and immediately takes it upon herself to do her first chore, she will be preparing herself to also complete the rest of the responsibilities she has each day. Requiring your child to make her bed each morning will empower her to take care of her things and take pride in her own space.
References
- Healthy Children: Chores and Responsibility
- "Mrs. Clean Jeans' Housekeeping with Kids: Family Pickup Lines (and Household Routines) That Work with Less Work From You"; Tara Aronson; 2004
- "Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline"; Barbara Coloroso; 2002
