“Laurie, come pack away your toys before bath time!” As a parent, you may have questions about assigning chores for children. Should children have responsibilities around the house or left to be carefree? Is it okay to expect a child to do work or is childhood just for play? Why assign my child to do a task I could do myself? Is my preschooler old enough to do chores? These are great questions and worth your time to contemplate and consider as you choose what is best for your child.
With a bit of experience under my belt as a mother and now a grandmother, I will share ten important developmental benefits I have experienced assigning age-appropriate chores for children.
Developmental
Responsibility: Even at a young age, children can begin to learn the concept and feeling of responsibility. Completing simple chores like putting toys away or helping set the table gives them a sense of accomplishment and ownership over their environment.
- Motor Skills: Many chores such as sweeping, folding towels, wiping the table, or picking up small items help develop fine and gross motor skills. These tasks require coordination and control which enhances hand-eye coordination and muscle control. When my youngest daughter was a preschooler, she just couldn’t use a sponge enough. She absolutely loved wiping down cabinets, table legs, anything she could reach.
- Fosters Independence: Giving children the chance to complete tasks on their own helps them feel more independent. It boosts their confidence and encourages them to take initiative in other areas of their lives. I believe chores for children to be one of the first confidence boosters in their little lives. Witnessing a proud smile is difficult to beat.
- Encourages Teamwork: Feeling you are an essential part of the family team, when chores are done as a family activity, teaches young children the importance of teamwork. Mealtime prep and cleanup is a great time to incorporate family collaboration. They learn how to cooperate, share responsibilities, and communicate effectively with others. “Mom and dad can’t do everything, they need my help.” What a plus for nurturing self-worth.
- Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem: Completing tasks, even small ones, can help young children feel proud of their achievements. Feeling capable and competent boosts confidence and self-esteem, which is important for children’s emotional development. I can still see my smiling, sponge-obsessed little cleaner.
- Teaches Time Management: Preschool-aged children feel comfortable with routine. Chores for children help them understand the concept of schedules and routines contributing to a sense of security and stability, essential at this age. Chores can also help young children develop organizational skills. I only saw benefits when my children knew to hang their coat on the hook and take off their shoes each time they walked in the front door
- Instills a Strong Work Ethic: Regularly completing chores helps children develop a sense of discipline and work ethic. They learn responsibilities are a part of daily life and tasks need to be completed. This can set the foundation for a strong work ethic as they grow older. My father was the chore organizer in our family. I learned my work ethic early from my father and have appreciated this sound knowledge and his example all of my life
- Improves Social Skills: Communication, sharing, conflict resolution, even negotiations come into play when children are doing chores. Asking for help or helping another enables children to develop social skills. These are often difficult and slow lessons for young children to learn. But, with parental patience and a long vision, it can happen!
- Promotes a Sense of Belonging: Contributing to the household gives young children a sense of belonging. They feel part of a team and contributing to the family unit, which fosters a sense of connection. Boost the connection by acknowledging efforts, expressing positive comments and sharing a light-hearted chat through the task
- Creates Healthy Habits: Simple tasks like picking up toys, wiping down surfaces, or sorting laundry help children build basic life skills. These develop into habits that carry into adulthood and promote independence. Children learn how to take care of their own belongings and spaces and respect the cleanliness and organization of shared spaces.
Positive Experience
With this knowledge of the social, emotional and physical developmental benefits of chores for children, let’s look at some ideas for introducing your child to the concept of chores.
First of all, make it fun and light-hearted. Begin with a simple, manageable chore. Make it a game or part of their daily routine. Assign a chore that will create a positive experience – something your young child can easily and successfully accomplish. Gradually increase responsibility as they grow helping your child to build these skills in a fun and engaging way.
The process of introducing and sustaining the responsibility of chores for children requires a lot of patience. Children will need frequent reminders. Begin with a how-to session for completing the chore, then let your child take their turn. Communicate when the chore is to be done so expectations are understood. Be prepared for your child to regularly need help with their chore. Your preschooler’s focus and attention span are still developing
Finally, focus on praising effort, not perfection. Encourage the process rather than the final result. Your positive comments and support will help build their confidence. The goal at this stage is less about achieving perfection and more about teaching basic habits, responsibility, and working together as a family. As your child grows older, they can gradually take on more complex chores.
Age-Appropriate
Chores for children should be assigned as appropriate for their developmental level with supervision, when needed. For children ages 3-5, chores should be simple, safe, and manageable to accomplish. Here are some examples of chores appropriate for a preschooler:
- Picking Up Toys: Encourages tidiness and organization. A preschooler can put away toys, books, or stuffed animals in their designated places.
- Wiping Down Surfaces: With a damp cloth, your child can help wipe down tables, counters, or their own play area. This helps improve motor skills.
- Setting the Table: They can place napkins, utensils, and cups or plates on the table for meals. It’s a simple way to get involved in family routines.
- Feeding Pets: If you have pets, young children can help scoop food into the pet’s bowl. This teaches responsibility and care for animals. Using a small watering can, children can refill a pet’s water bowl.
- Watering Plants: With the watering can, your child can also help water indoor plants or flowers in the garden.
- Sorting Laundry: Children can help sort socks, colors, or fold towels, which helps with matching and fine motor skills.
- Putting Clothes in the Hamper: Teach your preschooler to place their dirty clothes in the laundry basket. It’s a good way to build routine and responsibility during your nightly Children’s Hour.
- Feeding the Birds: Preschoolers can help scatter birdseed in the yard or fill a bird feeder. It is a fun way for them to engage with nature.
- Making the Bed: Young children can pull up their sheets and blankets, helping with the basics of tidying up their personal space. This one consistent chore can be a benefit for life.
- Cleaning Up After Meals: Your preschooler can help clear their plate or wipe down their own place at the table after eating, which teaches them to contribute to mealtime routines.
Give your preschooler the opportunity to learn and grow with age-appropriate chores. Chores for children build a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. When your child receives positive reinforcement and experiences success, you are setting them on the path to building life skills that will serve them well.
Written by Janet Nicole Meyer for Golden Days at Home
Preschoolers find a never-ending source of inspiration for creative play with playsilks. You will find a rainbow selection of these beautifully made and imaginative toys at Sarah’s Silks, a family run business for 30 years.
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