My three year old loves to help out?

Question

These are some chores I found that he can do, I want to make a chore chart, what else can you think of?

This is not for any reason to make him do MY Job, or to have him do all in one day, I will narrow it down to just a few and for all the days of the week
Some chores 2-3 year olds can do…
Help make the bed.
Pick up toys and books.
put cloths into laundry basket
put dirty cloths into laundry
Help wipe up messes.
Dust with socks on their hands.
drink my milk
Brush teeth
Put clean cloths
Shoes
Empty dishwasher

(I let my son put the spoons & forks in the drawer)
And he hasn’t done all of these things yet, it’s a list I found on-line, supposedly its age appropriate

Answer 1

Small children LOVE to help out around the house. My daughter used to wash the dishes...(and then I dried the cabinets and mopped the floor when she was done :}). She also helped set and clear the dinner table, fed the dog, help me separate the laundry, sweep the patio. I wish she was as helpful now at 21 years as she was when she was 2!

Answer 2

A 3-year-old can also sweep the floor with a broom (though you should be in charge of emptying the dustpan or you will find things messier than when you started). Obviously you should supervise about the laundry, unless you want the red clothes in with the white ones (and, at least with my kids, some adult needs to be spraying a lot of stain remover before putting things in the washer!). My 4-year-old also likes to "clean" the sink. I don't give her any cleaning liquids or anything, just a wet sponge. If he's dusting, also don't give him any cleaning liquids; it could go through the socks and soak into his hands. Leave the poisonous clean-up jobs for grownups.

Of course, as you mention, don't give him too many jobs at once. Other than brushing teeth (which should be required, though at 3 you probably still want to check that he reached everything ... my younger kids always miss the back), you may want to limit it to cleaning up toys and books (with help), putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket, helping wipe up messes that he causes (as they occur), and maybe just one other "special job" a day.

Oh, yeah, and don't expect him to do a great job on anything. It's great to teach skills and make him feel useful, but be prepared to "re-do" what a 3-year-old did his (not so great) best on.

Answer 3

i wouldn't let my 3yr old empty a dishwasher but picking up toys and books and putting their dirty laundry in a basket and helping to make their bed is enough. You don't want to make the child feel like he is working to do chores all the time. Brushing of teeth is not a chore and dusting with socks on hands, your job is to do the dusting not his.
Maybe you need to find some stimulating games for him to play during the day.
My son is 3.5yrs old and all i make him do is put away his toys, and put his dirty clothes in a basket.

Answer 4

My daughter is 2 1/2 and loves to help out also. She helps sweep the kitchen floor. She has her own little broom (can be purchased at any toy store). She helps with the laundry. Putting clothes in the washer and dryer and she hands them to me one by one to fold and put away after they're clean. She helps organize her toys. She helps feed the dog and fish. Helping with the dishwasher is okay as long as you've already taken out the knives and breakable glass. My daughter also helps me "cook" sometimes. She stays away from the oven of course, but she puts her step stool up to the sink and helps me "measure" things out and helps pour things into bowls for me. It's good that your son likes to help out and he definitely can learn a lot from it. Let's just hope our kids still like to help out when they're older too! LOL

Answer 5

i love your ideas- i think the dishwasher may be a bit too much. id be afraid of him (my son) dropping a glass or something. I have also found that my son will do any chore i ask as long as we do it together! i have a childs broom that my son loves. I sweep the floor and then ask him to re sweep it with me. This way i know its clean and he also feels like he did a good job!

Answer 6

That sounds good. My son is almost 3 and he helps me out. He like too. He help me put the dirty clothes in the washer. He helps me take them out and put them in the dryer. When he's finished eating he empties his plate into the garbage if there is still food on it and then puts it in the dishwasher. He undresses himself for his bath and puts his dirty clothes in his basket. He puts his shoes in his closet. These are simple things young ones can do. They learn to be independent and not to expect mommy to do "everything" for them.

Answer 7

My son loads and empty's the dishwasher. I just make sure to take everything sharp out first. He also likes to help give the dog a bath and wash the windows (well the bottom half at least!).