What Chores Can My Child Do?

Assigning household chores is a great way to build self-esteem and a feeling of competence. Regular chores establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work. Having chores teaches lessons about life and creates an understanding that there are jobs that must be done to run a household. Children who grow up doing chores will find the flow into adulthood much easier than those without responsibility will.

Madeline, 6 yrs

Choose age appropriate jobs for children.

Most parents underestimate their children’s abilities! Keep in mind that a child who has mastered a complicated computer game can easily run the dishwasher! Preschoolers can handle one or two simple daily jobs. Older children can manage two or three daily jobs along with one or two weekly jobs.

Take time for training.

Don’t assume that since your child has seen you do the task a hundred times that she can do it herself. Be very specific in your instruction and demonstrate step-by-step as your child watches. The next step is to let your child help you, followed by your child doing the chore as you supervise. At the point you feel that your child has mastered the job she can take over responsibility for it.

Make a chart.

Children need a visual daily reminder to keep them on track doing chores. A chore chart (try a dry erase board) on which a child can make daily check marks is a helpful way to remind them without you having to nag!

Use the “when/then” technique.

“When your homework is done, then you can play outside.” Or “When your pajamas are on and teeth brushed, then we will read a book.” What makes this idea work is that it’s a simple reminder and adds something to look forward to afterward.

Be very specific in your instructions.

As an example, “clean your room” is vague and can be interpreted in any number of ways. Instead, be clear by saying, “Put your clothes in the closet, books on the shelf, dishes in the kitchen, and toys in the toy box.”

Faith

Age Appropriate Chore Ideas

What follows is a list of ideas from which you can choose a few chores for your child. Don’t try to turn your child into Cinderella! Simply review the list, consider your child’s age, ability, and personality, and select chores appropriate for your child. Preschoolers can handle one or two simple jobs. As children get older they can handle a larger quantity of jobs, as well as those that are more complex.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking. You might even go through this list with your children and let them pick a few things that they would like to do. Involving them in the process might produce more willing participation.

• Ages 2 to 3:
  Put toys away
  Fill pet’s food dish
  Put clothes in hamper
  Wipe up spills
  Dust
  Pile books or magazines
  Choose clothes and dress self

• Ages 4 to 5:
  Above chores plus:
  Make own bed
  Empty wastebaskets
  Bring in mail or newspaper
  Clear table
  Pull weeds
  Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs
  Water flowers
  Unload utensils from dishwasher
  Fix bowl of cereal

• Ages 6 to 7:
  Above chores plus:
  Sort laundry
  Sweep or Swiffer floors
  Handle personal hygiene
  Set and clear table
  Help make and pack lunch
  Weed and rake leaves
  Keep own bedroom tidy
  Pour own drink
  Answer telephone

• Ages 8 to 9:
  Above chores plus:
  Load dishwasher
  Put away groceries
  Vacuum
  Help make dinner
  Make own snacks
  Wash table after meals
  Put away own laundry
  Sew button
  Run own bath
  Make own breakfast
  Peel vegetables
  Cook simple food (such as eggs or toast)
  Mop floor
  Take pet for daily walk
  Clean up after pet
  Pack own suitcase

• Ages 10 and up:
  Above chores plus:
  Unload dishwasher
  Fold laundry
  Clean bathroom
  Wash windows
  Wash and clean car
  Cook simple meal with supervision
  Do laundry
  Baby-sit younger siblings (with adult in the home)
  Clean kitchen
  Change bed
  Make cookies or other foods from simple recipes
  Plan birthday party or other event
  Have neighborhood job – such as pet care or yard work
  Have a paper route
  Work in family business doing simple filing, envelope stuffing, shredding or other tasks

Isabel, 23 months

Need more tips? The No-Cry Discipline Solution is full of gentle ways to encourage cooperation without whining, yelling or tears!