I’m of the mindset that chores are an essential part of growing up! Families are all about support and togetherness – and when everyone pitches in with chores, it reinforces that message. Chores further allow your kids to begin to see themselves as important contributors in the family. Some of the key benefits associated with encouraging your kids to contribute towards chores include:
- Allowing your child to gain a sense of responsibility, purpose and accomplishment
- Teaching your child important life skills
- Assist in the development of fine motor skills and planning abilities
- Opportunity to work as part of a team
- Helps to strengthen family bond, and of course…
- Allows you to share some of the household responsibilities
Not sure what chores are appropriate for each age group? Here’s a quick go-to guide that I have used in my household:
Pre-schoolers
- Picking up the toys at the end of each day
- Put their dishes in the sink
- Dirty clothes in the basket
- Help set the table
Children this age often respond well to things such as sticker charts which help remind them to complete a chore in order to receive small rewards like choosing a TV program or family meal.
Primary School Age
- Feed pets
- Set the table
- Water the plants
- Tidy up room/make bed
- Help put groceries away
- Putting clothes away
Don’t forget to constantly give them praise for their efforts and encourage them to keep practicing to perfect their tasks/chores.
Tweens/teens
- Walk pets
- Help fold the washing
- Help with food prep and cooking
- Load & Unload dishwasher
- Vacuum
- Mow the lawn
- Wash the car
These life skills will be important after high school so your teen can live independently.
Remember when you begin introducing new chores into the family household, naturally there can be some resistance. However, don’t give up, after all they are also important life skills that your children will benefit greatly from. Try keeping them fun, positive and age appropriate to help with engagement. We recently broke down in a previous blog how to encourage your kids to get more involved around the house so if you're facing some resistance go check it out!
Do your kids do chores? Why or why not? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.