Age-Appropriate Chores for Toddlers, Kids, and Teens

Training children to do household chores is a great way to start them off on the road of being self-independent and responsible for their own affairs when they grow up as adults. Performing chores that are appropriate for their age, size and maturity will train not just the physical aspect of their development, but also mentally and spiritually. Researchers have also found that chores can promote the sense of gratitude in children as they start to understand what their parents go through, hence building a great parent-child bond in the process. Here are some examples of simple chores that can help our children go a long way:

Toddlers

The simplest tasks like picking up their toys, disposing of rubbish, folding small items and dressing/undressing themselves should be suitable for them as these can train them to remember the things they have done and to clean up afterwards, and train their motor skills as their brain learns the first steps in coordinating other parts of the body like the hands to perform these tasks.

A great way to begin would be to model this to them as they learn best by imitating their parents. This set example will go a long way as standards are being set for the kids to adhere to. When they know simple tasks like these like the back of their hand, it paves the way for more complicated tasks in the future.

Pre-schoolers

Children at this age are more emotionally developed and will be able to take on more difficult tasks such as cutting food, making their own bed, setting and clearing the dining table, sweeping the floor (albeit with a mini-broom) and fixing a simple snack. Pre-schoolers are also more likely to have the need for parental attention, so parents can take this opportunity to entice them with more goodies (as simple as just a praise or a “good job” message) if there are more tasks that they are able to help out with at home. However, experts caution against over-rewarding children as this may form their mentality in the future, so remember, even the small, simple gestures of approval from parents mean the world to pre-schoolers!

School-going children

The young adults that they are slowly growing into requires more challenging tasks such as doing simple loads of laundry, vacuuming the floor, cleaning the bathroom, keeping their own room clean, washing their school shoes and socks, etc. While they are doing so, this is just about the right age to start promoting the benefits of these tasks to them and let them be aware that they will have to be doing all these themselves when they grow up. It is also the right time to start them off on the concept of adulthood and independence as their minds would have developed sufficient emotional and social intelligence to realize that they have to be their own person one day. In order to promote the benefits of these tasks, parents can take a more proactive role in participating with their children as these chores are being done and for some simpler chores, give them trust and let them do it unattended.

Teenagers/adolescents

As their bodies and minds develop even further at this age, children will now be able to fully grasp the concept of being independent from their parents. Hence, tasks that were normally done by parents previously such as mopping floors, changing bulbs, fixing pipes, babysitting younger siblings and even cooking can be gradually handed over to these young adults as they perfect their skill in doing so, in preparation of their own adult life.

Whichever age group the children belong to, parents should be the one who drives the initiative as the standard bearer. Make it a habitual routine to do chores and the children will have a positive example and influence to emulate. Furthermore, don’t overdo the lectures and instil the importance of household chores properly, depending on the child’s age group. Have them fully embrace the concept of performing their own chores, not resisting them. Use rewards sparingly, and once all these are in place, hopefully they will grow up minding their own tasks without having to rely on other people to do it for them, for it is all parents’ ultimate aim and hope for their children to be able to grow independently on their own two feet without having to worry about them when they are finally old enough to take care of themselves.