Teaching your kids to do chores at an early age, not only develops them mentally but helps them learn to be responsible.
If you think it’s too early, wait until we give you ideas on how to start introducing chores and which ones are appropriate for which age.
According to We love babies there are suitable chores for your young kids from as little as 1 year old. In order to have a smooth process, allow them to help you while doing chores so they can learn, let them do the chores under supervision and then start instructing them to do them alone.
Here is a list of ideas on what you can teach your kids:
Toddlers from 1 to 3 years
- They can start by picking up their toys.
- Wipe after themselves after they spill.
- Put books back on the shelves after reading time.
Pre-school ages from 4 to 6 years
- Pick up toys.
- They can start dusting shelves, only if they don’t suffer from sinuses.
- Help making the bed.
- Start watering plants.
- Put dishes on the sink.
Elementary phase from 6 to 10 years
- Start doing a few dishes.
- Loading up the dishwasher.
- Fold the laundry.
- Taking out trash.
Pre-adolescent from 10 to 12 years
- They can clean the toilet.
- Sort the laundry.
- Make simple meals and snacks.
Teenagers from 13 to 19 years
- Washing the car.
- Look after younger siblings.
- Do grocery shopping.
- Plan and prepare meals.
- Be involved in doing all house chores.
There are also parents who believe that modelling good behavior makes it easy for you to teach your kids chores, she went on saying “My niece grew up seeing everyone clean after themselves and she started doing the same. Every time she finishes off bathing, she puts her dirty clothes in the basket, when she spills something she would run to the mop or the broom and she just turned 4 years.” – says Kabelo Millani Mothiba.
Also see:What’s your parenting style?