Creating a daily chore routine for your child allows her to feel a part of your household and teaches her important lessons about responsibility, according to Family Education. Because a regular routine helps a child to better complete a task, giving your child age-appropriate tasks she is expected to complete on a daily or weekly basis can help you around the house and teach your child valuable lessons.
Ages Two to Three
At this age, your child is old enough for putting toys away in the appropriate container and helping you set the dinner table, according to Circle of Parenting. Create a routine that your child is not allowed to complete another task until toys are put away. This helps him to understand the concept of gratification, according to Family Education. If the toys are put away, he is rewarded with the next part of his day and praise from you.
Ages Four to Five
Preschool children are able to help with a number of household chores. Offering options to your child and allowing her to select chores that she enjoys most may help her to enjoy her chores more, according to Family Education. Sample chores for this age group include loading dishes in the dishwasher, emptying trash cans, putting away dirty clothes, sorting laundry and bringing the mail in. At this age, establish a routine-and-reward mechanism by creating a chore chart that resides in a highly visible place, such as on the refrigerator. When your child completes a chore, place a star or other sticker on the chore chart to emphasize a job well done.
Ages Six to Seven
At this age, children are ready for more responsibility, such as clearing the table after dinner, preparing snacks, pouring drinks for your family and emptying trash bags, according to Circle of Parenting. Create a chores routine for your child by setting a deadline for when chores must be completed, suggests Unbound Potentials. For example, your child has until 7 p.m. to clear the table and load the dishwasher. Be sure to supervise your child if he could be handling sharp objects, such as knives or hot serving plates.
Ages Eight to Nine
Now that your child is successfully reading, incorporating chore cards into her daily routine can ensure she does a thorough job, according to Unbound Potentials. At this age, children can sweep/mop the floor, run the dishwasher and run their own baths, according to Circle of Parenting. Create cards that explain the steps a child must take before successfully completing the task. Laminate the cards, and use a dry-erase marker to have your child check off completed steps.
