Age-appropriate chores- for young children

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Written By Poonam Singh

I am co-founder of toddlerjunction.com and Principal of Cambridge Montessori Preschool Bangalore.

Age-appropriate chores for children is extremely important as it makes the kids hard-working and not spoiled. By making them do chores, you will be wiring the kid that hard work is the most integral part of life. 

When a child contributes and pitches for their part of chores, they contribute to family management. 

Read Here: How to not spoil a child?

The kids who do chores growing up are most likely to be successful

Do you want kids to be happy and responsible? Then quit being sweet enough to do all the chores on your own and divide your chores with your child as well. Start giving them chores at a young age. After all, kids benefit from doing chores from a very young age. 

Two of the things that are required to live a successful life are having compassion and a good work ethic. If the child is taught to their own chores, they understand the significance of working hard and also rewarding the kids for the work helps build good family connections. By contributing to the household chores, they get generous and understand the importance of teamwork with empathy and kindness.

The “pitch-in” mindset that is the leading quality of most of achievers.

The best way to teach a good work ethic is to teach them to do chores. When the child starts to do chores early, they understand the result of hard work and are fine-tuned to more work and talk less. Children need age-appropriate chores for the kids that help them learn to be responsible and hardworking.

Age-appropriate chores

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Chores can be divided and segregated into two different categories

  1. Based on age
  2. Based on the nature of chores

Based on age

For age 2-3 years-

Simple and easy chores are suggested for kids that are approximately 2 to 3 years old. 

  • Getting diapers and wipes from a basket or a drawer
  • Putting and arranging toys in the basket or a box
  • Throwing away some small amount of trash or wrappers if found on the floor
  • Arranging books and clearing the mess
  • Putting dirty clothes in the basket 
  • Fold handkerchiefs and small towels
  • Arrange books on the shelf. 
Age-appropriate chores
Age-appropriate chores- for young children

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For age 4-5 years 

As your child gets older, you need to add on some more work-intensive task for them to do

  • Make your own bed
  • Dust the furniture and clear the table 
  • Make some snacks
  • Feeding the pets
  • Basic gardening 
  • Cleaning out everything in the room 
  • Clear the table before and after the meal
  • Making easy and quick snacks

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For age 6-7 years

As the child grows up and starts understanding things around. It is important to also upgrade the set of chores that you alot to them

  • Sweeping the dirty floor
  • Arranging the utensils 
  • Cleaning the floor
  • Throwing away trash
  • Making some simple dishes and snacks
  • Peeling vegetables

For age 8-9 years

  • Wash your laundry 
  • Wipe bathroom sink and clean up the vanity 
  • Baking 
  • Making a basic breakfast
  • Sweep and dust of the dirt from the furniture 
  • Clean the vegetables and arrange in your refrigerator
  • Hang and fold clothes neatly 
  • Walk the dogs outside

For age 10-11

As your child has now crossed a century, so has the intensity of the chores has increased. With the increase in strength and height, the range of activities also increases

  • Vacuuming and cleaning the floors
  • Cleaning up the mirrors and glasses
  • Making a simple meal
  • Cleaning up the kitchen after dinner
  • Collecting the mails
  • Wiping down the counters and furniture
  • Clean the stairs and dust off the rugs
  • Fold and arrange clean clothes

For age 12 + 

As the child grows up and matures, they should slowly try to do chores on their own without any command. More chores that they do on their own, the more independent they become 

  • Cleaning the garage
  • Mowing the lawn 
  • Cleaning glass items 
  • Washing the windows
  • Cooking a complete meal
  • Grocery shopping 
  • Iron clothes
  • Helping with basic home repairs
Age-appropriate chores
Age-appropriate chores- for young children

Based on the chores

Daily chores

Some of the chores are required to be done on a regular basis, they are a part of the regular responsibility and should be a part of daily lifestyle

  • Making up the bed
  • Cleaning up the table after every meal
  • Putting the dirty clothes in the rack
  • Helping the parents unload and load the washing machine
  • Arrange the shoes in shoes 
  • Get dressed and clean up your room. 

It is important to make the kids have a cyclic responsibility as it helps build a habit. Also, rewarding the kids for timely completion of everyday tasks motivates them to work more. 

Special occasional chores

There are certain hosting responsibilities that you can give to your child during the festive season. You can get help from your little one by giving them plenty of time and do things on their own 

  • Designing cards
  • Arranging fancy showpieces
  • Organizing and arranging snacks on the table
  • Setting up the table and making small decorations

Chores that your kids can enjoy doing

These tasks can be delegated to your little ones at a very young age. You can build in the satisfaction of sorting and matching, arranging things, and the sheer thrill of activities that involves technology. 

  • Throw away weed from the garden
  • Washing vegetables and utensils
  • Using tools to cut or mash vegetables

Chores that feel rewarding 

As your kid grows and starts to understand a thing, it is important to also include chores that have a tangible outcome that is visible so that the child feels rewarded and happy

  • Preparing a simple meal
  • Sweeping the floor and clearing out the room 
  • Vacuuming the carpet 
  • Folding clean shirts and clothes and arranging them in the cupboard. 
  • Brushing and cleaning up the pets

Chores that are potentially dull and boring 

There are tasks that are potentially dull but are extremely important. In such case, you can reward you kid for completing such tasks so that he feels motivated and happy. 

  • Cleaning the table after meals
  • Dry and washing the dishes
  • Wiping and cleaning the stove or kitchen counters
  • Taking out trash and recycling 
  • Tidying up toys and play space

Make sure that you reward and compliment your kids for doing the chores. You are building a very strong personality who is well-behaved, intelligent, and motivated. Not only do they feel responsible, but they also get a chance to learn new skills and value of working hard. You need to tie accomplishing things with money which is called the real world. 

Age appropriate chores for children video

Age-appropriate chores- for young children

FAQ – Age-Appropriate Chores for Children

What are age appropriate chores for a 5 year old?

Chores for children ages 4 to 5
Clear table
Water flowers
Make their bed
Empty wastebaskets
Bring newspaper
Use hand-held vacuum to pick up crumbs

What chores are appropriate for a 3 year old?

here are some examples of age-appropriate chores
Feeding pets.
Putting clothes in a hamper
Picking up toys and putting them away
Collecting and piling books and magazines.

What are age appropriate chores for a 2 year old?

There are many age appropriate chores for a 2 year old. A few examples include helping to set the table, picking up toys, and simple yard work. age appropriate chores also teach responsibility and help kids feel like they are a contributing member of the family.

reference
Age-appropriate chores- for young children

I am co-founder of toddlerjunction.com and Principal of Cambridge Montessori Preschool and DayCare Kaggadasapura Branch. I am also a Montessori certified teacher and have 5+ years of experience working with kids.

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