No matter how young or old your children are, they love to help around the house. Not only do they feel a sense of pride from their accomplishments but they also feel a great deal of satisfaction from being a contributing member of the family.
Next time something needs to be done around the house, think about whether it’s a task that your little ones would like to help you with. Here is a list of age-appropriate chores that you can ask your children to assist with and it will help them learn valuable life skills too!
Ages 2-3
Although it might seem quite young to start chores with toddlers, teaching them simple tasks can help them learn independence and responsibility from the get-go. This will help them grow up to be capable, motivated, and determined. Consider encouraging your toddler to:
- Put toys away
- Put shoes away
- Put dirty clothes in the washing basket
- Place books on bookshelf
- Fetch nappies/wipes
- Help set the table
Ages 4-5
When your children start to grow, they will relish being independent and feeling like a ‘grown-up’ so encourage this as much as possible and praise them for a job well done. Help them learn responsibility by teaching them to:
- Make the bed
- Put away clean clothes
- Match socks
- Clear the kitchen table
- Wipe up spills
- Water the plants
- Feed pets
Ages 6-7
It’s important to teach our children valuable life skills that will help them become a contributing member of the household but also a productive member of society. This starts with small chores at home that help build their confidence, tasks such as:
- Help prepare dinner
- Help put light groceries away
- Replace toilet paper roll
- Wipe down bathroom/kitchen sinks and counters
- Sweep or rake
- Use a handheld vacuum
Ages 8-9
Your children will be moving up to big school very soon, so they will need to start becoming even more independent. They also need to learn that certain things need to be done every day before they can go out to play, so time management becomes a skill that’s learnt quickly!
At this age, consider chores such as:
- Help put groceries away
- Load and unload the dishwasher
- Mop floors
- Dust the furniture
- Help bake cookies or scramble eggs
- Walk the dogs
Find out why Why Routines are Important for Your Child’s Well Being and How to Create a Daily Routine that Works for Your Family.
Ages 10-11
Older children need to learn to become self-reliant and confident in their own abilities, so start letting them carry out tasks by themselves. Entrusting them with certain tasks every day not only teaches them responsibility but it also helps them build a strong work ethic that will stay with them as they grow into adulthood.
Teach them to:
- Make simple meals
- Take out the rubbish
- Wash clothes and move to the dryer
- Clean toilets, bath/shower, sinks
- Deep clean the kitchen
- Clean up after pets
Ages 12+
When your children are in big school, you can help build on the valuable life skills that they are already learning such as independence, responsibility, confidence, time-management, and prioritisation. Now that they are older, you can let them:
- Shop for groceries with supervision and a list
- Make full meals
- Bake cake/bread on own
- Wash windows
- Clean the car
- Iron clothes
- Supervise younger children
With these age-appropriate chores, you can give your children the opportunity to learn valuable life skills. Not only does helping around the house help your little ones grow into productive and self-sufficient adults, but it also makes family life run smoother too!
At Schoolhouse Daycare, we enjoy learning, encouraging confidence and we love life! If you think your child would enjoy life at Schoolhouse, then please do not hesitate to arrange a visit.