Chores give your child the opportunity to build self-esteem, learn responsibility and contribute to your family's home life. Choosing practical house chores for kids depends on their age and abilities, but if you want your child to succeed with his chores, make the chores specific, enforce them consistently and be sure to tell your child thank you for a job well done.
Chores For Preschoolers
For young children, choose chores that build on skills they're developing. Sorting clothes, putting away their toys and books and setting the table are all good chores for small children. Children can also help with chores such as dusting and window washing that involve repetitive movements. Preschoolers do best with small chores that they can do every day so that the chores become part of their daily routine.
Chores for Children in Elementary School
As children get older, they can take on chores with responsibilities. Children this age do well with chores that involve the family pet, such as washing, grooming and feeding. They can also take on the responsibility for their personal space, including keeping their room clean and putting away their laundry and toys. Your school-age child can also help with preparing his food, including preparing his lunch and clearing the table after dinner. When you're choosing chores for children this age, it's important that you opt for chores you won't be tempted to go back and re-do if your child doesn't do them exactly the way you want her to.
Chores for Older Children
Once children hit middle school, their chores can help prepare them for the skills they will need once they're on their own. Children this age do well with chores that keep them in the kitchen--sharing cooking and cleaning duties--as well as laundry, lawn and yard maintenance and other chores. Children who are old enough to drive can share in some of the responsibility of caring for the family car. Around this age, children might rebel against chores, so parents need to consistently enforce responsibilities and set clear deadlines for work completion. At this age, children also tend to have a lot of activities so be sure their chores are reasonable based on their schedule.
