Chores instill a sense of responsibility in children at a young age. Keeping the tasks age-appropriate makes your child more likely to succeed with the cleaning chores you introduce. Tracking cleaning tasks on a weekly chore chart can provide motivation and accountability for your kids. A simple grid with columns to hold stickers helps you and your child keep track of the cleaning chores he completes each day.
Cleaning Bedrooms
Cleaning her own bedroom teaches your child to take care of her personal space. Give your child specific cleaning tasks rather than just telling her to clean her room. The age of your child influences exactly how much cleaning she does in the bedroom. Picking up toys is a basic task that children can undertade as toddlers. Tubs or storage bins marked clearly with a picture of the type of toy allows young kids to sort toys, according to parenting resource iVillage. Emptying a bedroom trash can into a larger trash can is another task that most children can handle. Making the bed offers a more complex bedroom-cleaning task for older children.
Laundry
Kids generally produce a large amount of laundry. Have your child help out with his laundry as part of his weekly cleaning routine. For toddlers and preschoolers, assign your child the task of putting his dirty clothing in the laundry hamper. Patricia Sullivan of the National PTA recommends asking your child to help move clothing from the washing machine to the dryer. Older kids might help sort their own clothing into various loads and put away the clean laundry in their dressers or closets.
Dishes
Cleaning up dishes is task that is adjustable to fit your child's age and ability level. A preschooler is able to carry his dirty plate to the sink. As your child gets older and becomes more independent, he can load the dishwasher or wash the dishes by hand. Start with unbreakable dishes when washing by hand to avoid cuts or injuries. Plastic plates, bowls and cups are ideal.
Dusting
Many kids find it easy to wipe down various surfaces, and may even enjoy this task. Provide your child with a soft cloth and let him start wiping away the built-up dirt and dust. Tell your child exactly where you want him to dust to avoid any broken items. Lower surfaces that your child can easily reach are best. Standing on a chair or stepstool while dusting may result in your child falling.
Member Comments