is 5 yrs old too young to start doing small household chores?

Question

wipe the table off, making her bed, sweeping her room?

Answer 1

No not at all, my four year old (five in feb.) cleans her room once weekly, picks up her own chores and unloaded the silver ware from the dishwasher (not knives)

Answer 2

Not really -- but don't ask too much. I remember my mom thinking I was 14 when I was 7. She expected me to do way more than I was capable. I would do the things but I never did it good enough, because I was 7! And I just remember her getting mad at me and making me vacuum the house three times because I didn't do a good enough job -- I wasn't strong enough to push the vacuum very well.

No, I don't think it's too early to teach them how to start doing these things, but I think it's too early for them to have nightly or weekly chores. Children aren't ready for that at such a young age.

Getting them to make the bed is okay if you're not expecting them to do a great job. Sweeping would probably be more difficult and I suggest holding that off. It's hard for a child that young to get the hang of holding a broom and using a dust pan.

Just make sure that whatever you are having them do -- you aren't expecting them to do it right or perfect.

Answer 3

Are you kidding? My kids starting learning to help out as soon as they were old enough to walk! At age 5, kids should be able to put their own toys away, make bed (with a little help sometimes), put dirty clothes in hamper, help set and clean off the table, help take care of pets (my kids make sure the cat has fresh water every day), and help fold laundry (stuff like towels, etc.) I'm not sure if he or she would be very effective at sweeping, but he or she can hold the dustpan for you.

Answer 4

No!! Everyone in the family should have responsibilities. My 5 year old is responsible for emptying the bathroom trash cans into our large trash can, weekly.. she has to make her bed and sweep the entry way. As my children have gotten older, I've added a little more responsibility, but letting her help at such a young age will help you a lot when she's older!

Answer 5

Of course not, I started mine at 2!
She should be responsible for her own room, but also some other chores around the house. She can fold towels, help load the dishwasher - at that age, my son even liked to wash the plastic stuff in the sink. She can vacuum a bit, dust, stuff like that - help gather clothes for laundry, sort socks.
Just don't tie chores to allowance.

Answer 6

No, that's not too young. By 2 years old the child should be helping clean/pick up his/her toys and putting them in the right spot. Don't expect the child to do the chores perfect, but it teaches the child responsibility by having to pick up their own toys and help clean the table off.

Answer 7

My children have been setting the table, making their beds, taking out bathroom trash, picking up room, getting laundry to me and such since around 3 years old. If they can physically do the job, then they are old enough.

Answer 8

No...my daughter is 3 and she is already doing chores like making her bed, getting the trash together, picking up her toys and cleaning her room, or also helping me with what I need to get done.

Answer 9

Thats not too young at all. Make it fun. My boys are 8 & 10 and I still say to them..."Hey, why don't you help Mommy clean this up and then we'll have time to watch a movie or play a game" (or wahtever you like to do in your house) It really gets them moving and then let them know how much you appreciate their help.

Answer 10

Heck no. I would start by doing the chore together so that she learns how to do the task. Then I would slowly remove yourself so that she's doing it on her own.

The word chore has such negative connotations that may I suggest you not use that word?

John