When do you start teaching a child to do chores?

Question

I have a 4, 3, and 2 year old. I ask them to pick up toys, or pick up their clothes and put them in the wash. But when is it a good time to get them to help out a bit more??

Answer 1

Well my almost 4 year old has several chores to do everyday, they are simple and he usually likes doing them...of course he is rewarded also. His daily chores are: make his bed (he just needs to make sure the blankets are on the bed semi nicely) brush his teeth (morning and night) set the table for dinner, and pick up his toys before bed. His weekly chores are dusting and watering the flowers, he also helps put away his clean clothes, I fold them and he puts them in the right drawers. We have this awesome chart that works like a charm...

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Congratulations on teaching your kids the value of responsibility. There are so many parents who do everything for their kids and where exactly does it get them? Keep up the good work Mom!

Answer 2

I start my kids to help out around the age of 2 (i have a 2, 4, and 6 year old). When they can understand what you are saying and follow directions. Picking up clothes and toys is a big chore for a two and a 3 year old. My 2 year old also puts her own dishes in the sink and napkin in the garbage. When my kids were 3, they started making their beds and helping me put away their laundry. Then at 4, they help me make sure the youngest one is keeping clean and help with cleaning off the steps, folding blankets. My 6 year old helps to take out the garbage and bring in the garbage cans. As time passes on, just add one more chore to the list. Make sure you remember to say please, thank you, and good job. My kids love to help me around the house. They know the faster I get my house work done the more play time I have for them. I make sure to do the things around the house that they want done too. We are a family and we work together.

Answer 3

My daughter started doing more stuff around when she turned 2. She's now 2 1/2 and here's what she does:

set the table (plates, bowls, cups, silverware, napkins)
puts away her own laundry in her drawers after I fold it
folds some laundry (easy stuff)
hands me stuff out of the dishwasher to unload
"helps" sweep (has her own small broom and dustpan)
cleans the bathroom counter
"helps" me scrub the floors
puts away her own toys (with help if it has a lot of pieces)
puts her dirty laundry in the hamper (sorted by color)
empties the lint trap on the dryer
helps me put wet clothes in the dryer when I hand them to her
dumps ingredients into bowls if we are baking
Cleans up spills or messes that she makes
Puts her dirty dishes in the sink
Throws random stuff away when I ask her to

Probably some other stuff, too. I try to make it fun and she likes to help me. I'm all for teaching them to work early. She never has to do anything except put away her own toys and clothes, clean up her own messes, and put her own clean, folded laundry in the drawers. Everything else is optional.

Answer 4

i have a 3 and two year old.. i started having them pick up their toys as soon as they could fully understand....now they are cleaning their room....help set the table, pick up their clothes etc. it not at what age to start with chores. its at what time is right for the child. even though my kids to their chores... my daughter is more helpful then my son...you just have to give them time...sooner or later they will come around...but fo now having them pick up their clothes and toys is a good start....if you think they can handle more then go for it...

Answer 5

My oldest is 11 and I started him on folding his clothes when he was around 7. Then he started on helping me fold towels, after that, he started dusting and vacuuming his room (71/2). Now he does the towels and puts them away, does his own laundry (folding and putting up), dusts and vacuumes his room and the living room (once a week), and empties the dishwasher.
My middle 2 are 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. They put up their toys and put their dirty clothes in the hamper, and put away their clean clothes in the dresser. My youngest is 14 mos and she puts up toys (but ususally takes them right back out).

Answer 6

You are doing great already. My youngest just turned 5 and does what your's do. He also helps is daddy and older brother in the yard picking up bush clippings, and small branches. He also helps fold small things in the laundry- socks, cloths, hand towels. By the time they are 5 or 6 they can begin to do more. My son is now helping me load the dishwasher. I rinse and let him load the plastic things. I think adding a little more complexity each yr is good. It is great when they are able to help lighten mom's load.

Answer 7

hon i have a 4 yr old and hes been doing chores and helping me around the house since he was 2 u just have to be a little assertive.i know it might be hard but that's all u can do if you start wanting them to help out. show them what to do a couple of times, demonstrate even, take it step by step if they see u doing it they will want to, cuz ultimately they wanna be like u.

Answer 8

sounds like they are doing a great job now for the ages you mentioned. Around 8-10 I let mine start working with me on the tractors and other farm chores. They seem to really enjoy it at first but when it began to be work I kinda backed off and let them choose what they would like to do most.

Answer 9

Ask them to help mommy as often as you can, that is good. Help them along, & praise them. Remember to say thank you. Try not to be to critical or they will give up trying. Somedays you will win & others lose but slowly the message gets there. Let them know the job has to be done, before T.V. or they can eat & sticking to your word. Discipline & self reliance comes from these lesson so taking the time to instill them is important. Tough job, so good luck.

Answer 10

At 2 yrs. old they should be doing exactly what you have them doing. I'd say at 3 they should be helping pick up toys, help you make their beds, and making sure they dress themselves. At 4, I think picking up toys, dressing themselves, brushing their teeth, and helping make their beds are some good chores.