Most parents want their children to be able to perform a variety of chores by the time they are in middle or high school. It is easiest and most beneficial to teach kids how to keep a household running smoothly by incorporating chores into their days from the time that they are toddlers. Choosing age-appropriate jobs for children to do can make them feel good about what they can accomplish, and can encourage them to strive toward taking on more responsibility as they grow.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Young children are often eager to help with whatever mom or dad is in the middle of doing. While it may seem as though the "help" that little kids can provide is not worth the effort, learning to pitch in and do chores early in life can contribute to a child's eventual sense of responsibility and self-reliance, according to the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development. Even small toddlers should help to put their own toys away. Let your 2-year-old bring his own laundry to the laundry room and his own dishes to the sink. Give your 3-year-old the task of putting out the correct number of forks, spoons and unbreakable plates. Little ones can usually accompany you while you do your chores, and can help in small ways. Perhaps your preschooler can hold the dustpan while you sweep, for example, or can use the handheld vacuum to clean up his crushed breakfast cereal before you mop the floor.
School-Aged Children
As kids become kindergarten-aged and older, they may begin to balk at doing chores. Remain consistent and cheerfully require them to do the tasks that you have set aside for them. Some jobs that are appropriate for the young elementary ages, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, include bringing in the mail, helping to care for pets, setting and clearing the table and helping themselves to snacks between meals.
Children who are 8 to 11 years of age can take on more responsibility, and should learn how to load and run the dishwasher and to transfer the clothes from the washing machine to the dryer. They should be able to keep their own bedroom clean by this age, and should pitch in as needed with sweeping, vacuuming and folding laundry. Kids can also begin to help with yard work in the later elementary and middle school years.
Preteens and Teenagers
Preteens should be able to perform a wide variety of chores around the house and in the yard. By the time a child is a young teenager, she could occasionally clean the family bathroom, or, if she has her own bathroom, keep it clean on her own. She should know how to separate, wash, dry and put away clothing. If given a short list, a young teen should be able to choose the appropriate items at the grocery or convenience store, and should also occasionally make meals for the family. It is important to teach teenagers how to do automobile-related chores such as checking the oil and changing a tire, as they will be driving soon. Learning the proper upkeep of a home, yard and car is an important life skill that teens pick up throughout their childhood by doing chores.
