~GUEST BLOGGER~ Teaching Your Kids To Work

We are so excited to have Super Healthy Kids be our guest blogger today! Check our their awesome tips on teaching your kids to work! And check out their feed here!

 

Teaching Your Kids to Work: Chores By Age

Teaching Your Kids To Work 

Parents often underestimate how much kids can actually do.  We often get in the habit of doing most things for our kids and they miss the opportunity to learn and grow from independently helping around the house.  This is really the beginning of learning to work.  I read a book once that talked about not calling the things we have our kids do around the house ‘chores’ but calling them ‘family contributions’.  I love thinking about it this way because when children contribute to the family it helps them feel included and increase their self-worth.  As parents, we are teaching our kids life skills and good habits to get into so that when they leave the house, they are prepared to lead a successful life.  (At least that is the hope, right?)  The skill of work is so important, and even if they complain when they are young, they will thank you when they are older!  

When you are teaching your kids, one of the most important things is that they feel like they are able to do the thing you ask of them.  Making sure what you ask is age appropriate is key!  We have broken down different household chores by age for you so that you can easily help your kids begin to help around the house and feel successful doing it!

 Ages 2-3

  • Pick up/ put away toys
  • Unload any plastic dishes from the dishwasher
  • Dust
  • Put clothes in the dirty clothes hamper
  • Help move clothes from washer to dryer
  • Make bed
  • Wipe cabinets
  • Wipe baseboards

Ages 4-5

Any previous chores

  • Load the dishwasher
  • Set and Clear Table
  • Wash dishes (with supervision)
  • Wash windows
  • Wipe out bathroom sinks
  • Match socks
  • Fold dish towels
  • Weed
  • Water indoor plants
  • Feed pets

 Ages 6-8

Any previous chores

  • Meal prep (wash produce, find ingredients, simple cutting)
  • Wipe counters
  • Fold Laundry
  • Sweep Floors
  • Vacuum
  • Collect garbage
  • Get mail
  • Clean microwave
  • Rake leaves

Ages 9-11

Any previous chores

  • Make simple meals
  • Take garbage/ recycling to the curb
  • Wash/ dry clothes
  • Clean toilets
  • Mop floors

Ages 12-14

Any previous chores

  • Clean tub/ shower
  • Make full meals/ meal plan
  • Clean out fridge/ freezer
  • Mow lawn

 

It is always a good idea to provide plenty of support to your kids especially when they are first doing a chore they haven’t done before.  Working a long side your kids can strengthen your relationship and show your kids that you aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty either!