by An Everyday Story on November 5, 2013 in Parenting | 19 comments
We don’t all love cleaning but it is a necessary part of daily life. In our family it is important that our children (Jack 4 1/2 yrs and Sarah 2 1/2 yrs) contribute to the household duties. Our children don’t however have a list of chores, we prefer instead to have an expectation that they will participate positively to the general running of our household as much as they can for their age.
I know that at such a young age, it is easier and quite often quicker to do all the housework ourselves. However, I think helping children to learn how to do different household tasks helps to build their independence as well as teaches them valuable life skills.
Children can be very helpful if given the opportunity, time and proper tools.
Having children participate in household chores doesn’t have to be a burden. I know my children really enjoy helping out whenever they can. With gentle guidance and patience our children can learn to master these everyday tasks.
Peeling, chopping, spreading, lots of serious work going on here. My children prepare their own breakfast, snacks and lunch everyday. They are developing kitchen skills as well as learning to make healthy food choices
Jack and Sarah take care of their own garden. They always enjoy watering their plants with their small watering cans.
A child-size broom is really important. You can pick up a regular broom and cut down the handle, making it easier for your little one to manage.
Taking care of a pet teaches responsibility and compassion. At 2.5 years old, my daughter is able to take a scoop of dog food from the container and empty it into the dog bowl. A simple but very important task.
This would have to be Jack’s favourite job. He enthusiastically fills the machine, adds the powder and turns the dial ready to start.
I think we all know how fun this one is!
With guidance, our children can learn to identify a weed from a plant. My children will happily sit along the front path pulling weeds. A most helpful job indeed.
This is always a bit of fun. Mostly because we have a race to the end of the driveway with garbage bins trailing behind us.
Ahhh the allure of the mailbox. The anticipation of little letters and postcards. Sadly mostly bills for Mama, but Jack and Sarah still love it.
Sarah will eagerly wipe all surfaces within her reach. A damp cloth and she is happy.
This post is part of the Magic of play story. Sponsored by Hasbro.
Pingback: Fun Chores Kids Love | An Everyday Story
Hi Kate,
I got my son (27 months old) a learning tower. I expected him to help out in the kitchen too. However, he doesn’t show a strong interest yet. Sometimes he likes to stay at the kitchen with me esp baking time, but most of the times he prefers to play outside. And he always pull me out from the kitchen. What can I do to make him be more active in the kitchen?
Thanks. Ashley
Hi Ashley Maybe it’s a boy thing, because my two girls were always really into ‘helping mum’ with whatever I was up to, my boy less so!
Giving your son little tasks to do is the best way to get him interested. Mine loved to wash and dry the plastic cups each morning after breakfast. I also gave him little jobs like pouring in the liquids when we were baking.
At such a young age, I think “helping” in the kitchen is a very loose term! Try setting them up with a bowl of flour to play with while you cook. THat’s if you don’t mind a bit of mess to clean up afterwards! Have fun.
x
Hi Ashley When my son was about that age he would enjoy washing vegetables. We would give him a little mushroom washing brush (I don’t know anyone who actually uses them to wash mushrooms but it was the perfect size for little hands). He also enjoyed baking. He loved to mix the bowl and lick the spoon
I think though that he’s still very young. If you can, leave the Learning Tower in the kitchen so there is always an opportunity for him to participate. Does he have child-sized utensils? This makes a big difference for little people; having special tools which they can manage easily.
Always try to make the experience as stress-free and open as possible. Maybe when you are preparing morning tea he might like to help out by chopping some cheese with a vegetable cutter or washing the fruit. Just simple little tasks to start with.
Pingback: Finding a Peaceful Way to Prepare Dinner | Peaceful Parents, Confident Kids
My kids all LOVED to help with anything and everything when they were small. My 3 year old still thinks washing the cupboards is awesome… my 6 year old will help cook dinner without encouragement, but my ten year olds grumble unless they are being paid! Enjoy it while you can!
I’m with you Kate. My four year old helps so enthusiastically with the housework most of the time but all I get from the other two is grumbles! I clearly remember them both being particularly helpful when they were four too, so i’m bracing myself for the same thing to happen soon.
Oh no! I hope it goes well beyond four! Although…thinking back now, I remember grumbling a whole lot when I was a tween too
Ha! Sarah loves to wash the cupboards too And you should see how fast Jack can run to the laundry when he thinks a load is going on
Oh yes, littlies love helping out. It’s so sweet. Cam loves being helpful but isn’t all that keen on cleaning up toys.
Neither’s Sarah. She’s shocking. She just gets so excited about a new idea that she might have and just dumps what ever it is she is playing with and runs off to play elsewhere
Great list of chores Kate. I must show these to my children so they can see they are not the only ones who “have to do everything around the house” (if only that were the case!)
What a lovely list Kate!my twins love doing all these too although I wish my teen still showed the same enthusiasm…at least she knows HOW to do them though since she loved to help when young too! Such sweet pics of your little helpers x
Hmmm it would seem that I can expect their enthusiasm for helping out to possibly wane in years to come Guess I should soak it up while I have it They are such sweet little helpers.
My little girl is approaching the age where she is wanting to help. So lovely.
I love the idea of encouraging them whenever they want to help rather than just having a list of chores. My youngest actually loves cleaning the toilet, it’s such a fun job to her. Something about dipping the brush in and out of the water – I’m not complaining!
I wouldn’t be complaining either I think (well I’m hoping at least) that if we encourage and allow them to help out with the jobs that interest them when they get older they will be more likely to still want to help out…hopefully
My 3.5 year old begs us for chores. “What jobs can I do Mummy?” Whilst it’s slower if she helps, it’s worth it for her sense of belonging and learning new skills.
I think so too. Jack really loves doing the washing. It takes a lot longer for him to do it but he is learning and so enthusiastic.