DIY Network

Age-Appropriate Chores Age-Appropriate Chores From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-113

From the time children are toddlers, you can train them to help around the house and make them feel good about their accomplishments. The value of teaching them early is that it gives them the sense of contributing to a family unit -- in addition to a taste of responsibility and a look at what the world of work is about.

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• Motivate kids by making chores fun. Make a game out of the tasks, and make it a family affair. It's important for kids to see that both parents are doing the same sort of work.

• There is a debate over children's receiving an allowance for doing chores: some people think children shouldn't be paid for contributing to the family, and others think it's the only way to get their kids to work. It's suggested that kids have regular chores that they're responsible for and that their allowance be tied in to their doing extra chores.

• Ages 12 to18 months: They can do little things as soon as they can walk. It can be as simple as carrying a diaper or picking up a baby wipe to give to a parent.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Toddlers: Toddlers can start learning how to clean their rooms. A child's bedroom is her own space, so it can give a greater sense of accomplishment. As children get older, they can help bring in the mail, feed pets and clear their dishes (figure A). These sorts of chores actually help children develop a higher maturity level.

• Ages 3 to 5: The higher maturity level allows them to enjoy feeling helpful. They can dress themselves, make the bed, load the dishwasher, fold up and put away clothing, set the table, take dishes from the table after meals and clean up small messes (figure B).

• Ages 5 to 7: If they can play complicated computer games, they can learn how to run a vacuum; dust; make a bed; change sheets; sweep and mop small areas; sort, load and fold laundry with some supervision; and practice their personal-care routine unsupervised (figure C).

• Ages 8 to 12: By ninth grade girls are doing two more hours of housework per week than boys. At the same time, they are doing more paid work and more homework, effectively learning to multitask in the same way as working women. Boys, on the other hand, are spending about 40 percent more time on extracurricular activities. Chores at this age include looking after siblings, grandparents and pets. They can sweep the house, vacuum, help prepare meals, fold laundry, prepare a simple lunch unsupervised, serve meals and pour beverages (figure D).
  

Teach kids early: that's the trick to making sure everyone in the family contributes to making your home run smoothly. Years from now, when your kids are in their own homes, they'll thank you for the life lessons.