A child quickly learns that to live in society, everyone must work together. Many parents do all the chores either because it is quicker, because they want to avoid arguments or because they find excuses for their children (they had a big day, they're’ too little). How will they learn that everything is not done magically and that to be part of a group, all tasks and joys must be shared?
When to start giving a child house chores?
Remember thatthe little 3 year-old to whom you said: “You can’t do this, you’re too little” will tell you the same thing when he's 13!. Children should assume their personal responsibilities, such as: cleaning their room, making their bed, putting their dirty clothes in the clothes basket and putting their dishes in the dishwasher. In addition, they should be responsible for a daily task that will be done for the good of the whole family, such as setting or clearing the table, making a salad, etc. It all depends on their development stage and capabilities. They should also be responsible for a weekly task such as cleaning a certain room in the house, taking out the garbage, etc.
Tasks that can be done by a child that is…
2-3 years old
- Brush his teeth with a little help
- Turn on the water and fill up a glass
- Put dirty diapers in the garbage
- Put dirty spoons in the dishwasher
- Put his wet clothes in the dryer
- Bring things to the table at lunchtime
- Wash and dry his or her hands
- Put dirty clothes in the basket
- Pick-up his toys with a little help
- Get dressed with a little help
4-5 years old
- Take his toys out of the bathtub and pull-out the bath cork
- Get dressed alone
- Bring plates and utensils to the table
- Put his clothes in the basket
- Take the utensils out of the dishwasher and put them in their right place
- Pick-up and put away his
6 years old
- Wipe the table with a moist cloth after dinner
- Put his dirty plate and glass in the dishwasher
- Wash their hair under adult supervision
- Sign cards or thank you notes
- Help do the grocery by putting things in the shopping cart and holding a light grocery bag
- Help take the grocery out of the car
7-9 years old
- Wash the sink and bathtub
- Get rid of the bad weeds on the lawn
- Look for words in the dictionary
- Wash their hair
- Make a sandwich and prepare a lunchbox
- Dust the living room
- Write and mail birthday invitations
- Clear and wash the dinning table
- Clean his room and make his bed
- Sweep the floor
- Wash the car
- Prepare his breakfast
- Fill and empty the dishwasher
- Fold and put away clean clothes
- Help with dinner preparations
- Take out the trash
- Start managing his money under adult supervision
- Prepare his clothes and schoolbag for the next day
