Age 3 too young for chores?

Question

i have my 3 yo pick up the newspaper lying around the house and put it in the recycle bin every evening. when i mentioned this to a co-worker, she said that 3 yo's shouldn't have chores. all they need to worry about is focusing on being a kid. can i get your opnions on the matter please?

Answer 1

Nope, not too young at all. Get your child in the habit of cleaning and helping now, and it will be a good habit all through life.
It's a newspaper, it's not like you're making the kid vacuum the house and wash the dishes. It's just picking up a few papers.
Good for you for establishing this routine early!

I wish I had thought of this when my kids were that age.

For those who accuse the asker of being lazy... My reply to that is... It takes a FAMILY to keep a house clean. Everyone helps all over the house. My kids use ALL the rooms in the house. They are expected to keep their rooms clean, AND they are also expected to help in the other rooms they use, i.e. living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. A family is a team and everyone must help to keep the team successfu.

Answer 2

I've had the same conversations with other parents myself(although quite a few years ago for the most part), but my answer to them is still the same....
all children need to do "chores" they are not bad or evil or life threatening to children....if they dont learn them (or some of them)early they will probably never do any(check with these same parents in a few months or yrs) and the conversation will be "why they cant get their children to do anything in the house".......I know I've been there for them

small chores (like helping with recycling, making their bed, putting their dishes in the sink) will not damage the childs psyche or life it actually makes them better people...and others they are around will thank you for having "such a polite and helpful child" (also from experience with my own children)...and a child knows from the time they are very young that every one needs to help to make things go well in their home, class, school, and eventually life in general

Answer 3

I'm a parent of an 8 year old and no 3 is not to young to have chores, but I wouldn't call them chores at this age. When a child is old enough to walk and talk he/she should be give different task to do. This exercises their brain as well as helps with their motor skills. This also teaches them a level of responsibility, even if they are to young to know it. At age 3 that's when a child wants to help or to imitate what mom or dad does. I think this is great, but I wouldn't make it a task, but something fun. You should also reward him after he's done. The older he gets, he'll be used to helping out around the house. He won't be traumatized by this.

Good Luck!

PS: You should make up a clean up song for him and teach him about picking up his toys, so when he's ready for school, he'll understand about helping put away his toys. Make responsibility fun! :>)

Answer 4

Everybodys idea of parenting is different. I have 2 children, 3 and 7 1/2. They both do age appropriate chores. They pick up their room. Pick up their toys. Put their clothes in the laundry basket and they love taking out the trash. Most of the time they like helping me. it gives them a sense of accomplishment. They also get allowance. the 3 year old gets $2 and the 7 year old gets $5/ week, ( he helps more.) We don't really have any problems, and its not like your child is cleaning toilets. I think that is great. When i do dishes they always want to help. They love when i run the sweeper, the 3 yr old has is own and he loves it. Kids this age i think really like helping.

Answer 5

Chores are the building block of responsibility for kids.

Chores should start as soon as they can hold something in their hands. From there, the progression is natural until they are mowing the lawn, taking out garbage and feeding the pets. Eventually they may even take some of the driving responsibilities.

Of course, with a 9 and 12 year old, getting them out of bed in the morning is a chore in itself.

Answer 6

No you are teaching your child responsibility!! i have a 5yr,4 yr , 2 and half yr old, all of them has to try and make their beds in the morning, the eldest have to clear their plates after their meals, they have to change when they come in from school and empty their lunch boxes!! I of course keep an eye on them while this is happening!!! No if they do this correctly all week the 5 yr old gets £1.00 pocket money, 4 yr old gets £0.75p and the youngest gets a magazine which we read every week while the 2 older children are at school!!! I am not a slave driver (i have had comments) but children do need to learn responsibility at a young age its repetitive

Answer 7

Its never to early to start and thats a perfect age. Clean up your toys - make it a game. Say pick up all the red ones or pick up all dolls or trains. I had a 5 year old and a 3 year and they made it into a competition. Also a great time to help put your dish or bowl in the kitchen and rinse it while on a chair. Kids love water. Make sure you praise them for doing a good job! Rewards like going to the park etc! If you make it fun it won't seem like a chore. If anyone tells you otherwise they most likely don't have kids. :)

Answer 8

The kids that I babysit do chores and they get stickers for doing a good job. at the end of the week if they picked up their their toys everyday, then they get a prize. it could be something like McDonalds for dinner if thats what you'd want to give. That way they relate positively to chores at an early age and won't mind doing them so much when they are older. They are never too young to begin learning.

Answer 9

Yeah well your co-worker will wonder why her son will not get a job and move out when he gets out of highschool. There is nothing wrong with him picking newspaper up and putting in the recyle. Plus you are teaching him about how important it is to re-cycle at an early age. Now if you are having him mowing the lawn, that is a real chore.

Answer 10

3 is not too young to start giving a child some chores as long as they are simple...like picking up the newspaper. It teaches responsibility.