Parents agree that children should help with household chores. Trisha Thompson said in her "Ask An Expert" column in Parenting Magazine that responsibility for chores helps a child learn the positive feelings that jobs well done can bring. She said that parents should "bear in mind that what you're teaching him isn't how to hold a broom or wield a sponge but that his family members help one another out." Here is a guide to age-appropriate chores.
Chores for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Even the youngest family members can help with household chores. Christie Wilson Millard, writer for the Mothers of Preschoolers website, reminds us that "responsibilities should be based on his abilities." Toddlers like to move things around and sort items. It's a great time to teach cleaning up the toys at the end of the day. They can also help with sorting laundry by taking clothing you give them and placing the item into the basket, box, or pile you indicate. Preschoolers can fold simple clothing items (such as wash cloths), match socks, and sweep large open areas. They can dust flat surfaces, dry large unbreakable dishes and sort toy parts back into their containers.
Chores for Children (ages 5 to 8)
As children grow, the nature of chores can change as well. Younger school-aged children should be able to handle chores that take a bit of care and thought, such as emptying the trash, washing dishes, vacuuming, dusting around knick-knacks and caring for pets with supervision. The 5- to 8-year-old crowd can usually handle sorting and folding laundry, assisting with garden chores, making beds and occupying younger siblings with supervision.
Chores for Preteens (8-12)
Preteens are becoming more capable. They are growing in size and strength as well as in their ability to understand and follow directions. Chores for preteens include cooking simple meals; helping with laundry; washing the car; cleaning bathrooms and other public parts of the house; preparing for parties or special events; and doing other activities demanding more skill, strength and attention.
Chores for Teens (12 and up)
Teens are nearly ready to live independently, and the household chores on their list should reflect their soon-to-be independent status. The closer they come to adulthood, the more complex the chores they should be able to do. Household maintenance tasks, such as painting and heavy cleaning, mowing the lawn, caring for entire rooms and carrying firewood are all appropriate for teens. It's important for them to learn meal planning and preparation skills through practice, develop the skills necessary to do the household laundry, iron clothing when needed and shop for household needs.
Building Skills for All Ages
No matter what age your children may be, chores add important elements to their growth and development. The activities provide opportunities to teach responsibility, initiative and skills for running a household. They build relationships and help children understand how to contribute to a group effort. According to authors Susan Davis and Dr. Robert Needlman, "chores that are done along with a parent can foster the special type of closeness that comes from working side by side." Teaching children to do chores makes the parental effort worthwhile.
