Assigning Kids Chores
By Age
Assigning kids chores by age. Getting kids to help with cleaning isn't easy, especially in the beginning. Besides, how many chores can you reasonably expect them to do?
This guide to assigning kids chores by age can help. I've found a good rule for divvying up the chores is to take his or her age, divide it by two, and round up when needed.
For each child, this number should remain constant, regardless of the number of chores that need to be tackled in a given week.
Although the number of chores may be small, many need to be done each day, and this is a great way to get your kids used to helping out.
Be There the First Time Your Child Tackles a Task
You'll want to there the first time your child tackles a new task, regardless of age. Beginners need pointers for even the most straightforward jobs, such as washing dinner dishes by hand.
What's second nature to us is a new experience for them. For example, you may have to explain which dishes should be washed first and why.
You may need to show them how to stack the freshly washed items in the dryer rack, so they don't go crashing to the floor.
Assigning Kids Chores By Age
Using this system, an 8-year-old with six siblings would have the same number of chores as an 8-year-old only child. The point is not just to get the work done; the point is to teach your children responsibility and get some work done.
After all, if you have only one child, it hardly seems fair to saddle her all of your home's chores. If chores are to be successful, they must be both fun and fair. And your supervision and enforcement must be consistent.
Here's an important caveat: By chores, I don't mean making the bed, clearing dishes from the table after a meal, or keeping your clothes on hangers and off the floor.
Those are essential tasks that are done daily - period.
They are just a part of the routine of daily life, like brushing your teeth. I refer to them as "persons virtues' for which completion is reward enough. No cash or barter changes hands. Zilch. Nada.
These tasks are so ingrained in my two older children that I can't recall the last time I had to ask them to make their beds.
What I mean by "chores" are all those other cleaning and organizing tasks that contribute to our family's comfort and our home's overall tidiness.
These include jobs such as sweeping the floor, raking leaves, folding laundry, changing bed linens, and cleaning toilets.
Below are kids' chores that certain ages can generally complete. Your child may be capable of doing a task sooner or later, depending on her level of concentration, fine-motor skills, or maturity. (Get a room-by-room chores guide.)
Once a child reaches an individual skill or age level, he can generally do the kids chores for his age group and those for the age groups below. Keep these guidelines in mind when assigning kids chores.
Ages 2 and Under:
- Get diaper
- Put toys in bins or drawers
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper if the top is low enough
- Turn off the TV if the button is within reach
- Wipe feet before coming inside
- Close cabinet doors
- Help set the table
- Turn on the dishwasher
Ages 3 to 5:
- Previous chores, plus:
- Pull comforter up over bed
- Place dirty dishes on the kitchen counter
- Put away toys and games and all their pieces in the proper boxes or bins
- Return books to bookshelves
- Dust low furniture
- Sponge down the play table
- Help unload the dishwasher
- Water plants
- Remove clothes from the dryer
- Help fold laundry
- Take clean, folded clothes to his or her room
Ages 6 to 9:
- Previous chores, plus:
- Make the bed
- Feed pets
- Exercise pets
- Clean pets' bowls and cages
- Put away groceries
- Help make breakfast
- Set and clear table
- Do simple cooking tasks such as rinsing vegetables
- Put dishes in the dishwasher
- Wipe up spills
- Help wash car
- Tidy bedroom
- Vacuum, with help, depending on the machine's height and weight
- Sweep floors
- Empty wastebaskets
- Prepare recyclables for pickup
- Fold simple laundry items
- Match socks from dryer
- Hang up towel
- Do easy yard work such as weeding and pruning with small shears
- Rake leaves
Ages 10 to 13:
- Previous chores, plus:
- Pour beverages for meals
- Help hand-wash dishes
- Do a surface cleaning of fridge
- Change bed linens
- Clean bedroom
- Clean windows
- Take trash containers to the curb
- Help clean garage
- Shovel snow
- Make lunch for school
- Unload dishwasher
- Disinfect kitchen and bathroom countertops
- Sort, wash, and fold laundry
- Mop floors
- Clean the shower
- Clean blinds
- Wipe clean the car's dashboard and upholstery
Ages 14 to 17:
- Previous chores, plus:
- Clean toilet, sinks, and tub
- Organize closet
- Prepare meals
Getting kids to do chores can be a challenge. Here are some easy ways to get the kids chores going in your home.
You Might Like These:
Weekly Kids Chores by Age
Weekly kids chores by age. A list of weekly kids chores and the age at which a child can reasonably be expected to complete them.
Bedroom Cleaning with Kids
Why not just give up and close the door? Because bedroom cleaning with kids now will teach them the essentials they need to know as they go on in life.
Kitchen Chores for Kids by Age
Kitchen chores for kids by age. At what age can a child set and clear the kitchen table? When can a kid take out the garbage? Here is a guide to age appropriate kitchen chores for kids.
Home Office Cleaning Chores for Kids by Age
Here's a guide to home office cleaning chores for kids. After all, since they often help muck it up, why shouldn't they help clean it up?
Chores for Kids Monthly By Age
Chores for kids monthly by age. How many chores can you reasonably expect kids to help out with at home? Here's a simple age-based guide to ensure your expectations your child's ability.
Laundry Chores for Kids by Age
Laundry chores for kids by age.Here are the common wash day chores and the ages by which most kids are able to do them.
Bathroom Chores for Kids by Age
Here's a list of bathroom chores for tkids and the age they can generally do by them. They do help muck it up, after all.)
Kids Chores Seasonally by Age
Kids chores seasonally by age. How many chores can you reasonably expect kids to help out with at home? Here's a simple guide to age appropriate kids chores seasonally.
- Clean Home
- Clean
- Assigning Chores by Age