Debating on if your child should do chores or not?
Find out why your child SHOULD do chores…
Some of the reasons may surprise you!
This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn compensation when you click on the links; at no additional cost to you. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.
I don’t know about you, but I remember having to do chores on a regular basis when I was younger. I had to make my bed, keep my room clean & tidy, and always make sure that my toys were put away when I was done with them. I did these things not because I was getting an allowance for them, but because I was told to do them. It was my responsibility to do my chores without anyone asking me or reminding me.
When I had my oldest daughter, I was in the beginning of my Montessori training and was learning all about the life skills children learn while doing work in the Practical Life area of the classroom. The Practical Life area in a Montessori classroom environment teaches children how to care for themselves, each other, and their environment through carefully thought out materials and lessons. My oldest daughter had to do chores, and once I had my youngest daughter, she also had to do chores.
I personally think that chores are important for children. I learned a ton of valuable skills from doing chores. Whether you have one child or multiple children, they can definitely benefit from doing chores.
10 ways your child will benefit from doing chores
Studies* have shown that:
1. Chores teach children valuable life-skills
2. Chores provide movement and development of their fine & gross motor skills
3. Children learn how to work well with others
4. Chores teach children responsibility & self-discipline and boosts self esteem
5. Children who do chores can grow up to be more successful
6. Children who do chores can be happier adults
7. Children who do chores learn how to manage time
8. They can be better at managing money in the future
9. They tend to have better relationships
10. Children who do chores are better able to deal with frustration and delay gratification
As you can see, there are many benefits to children doing chores; immediate and for the future! If you are not sure on what chores are appropriate for your child, read on to find some great ideas!
7 Age appropriate chores for children 18 months to 3 years old
Children around this age learn by watching and doing. If you show them how something is done, they will mirror your actions. This is what makes Montessori stand out among other educational philosophies; the Practical Life lessons on every day skills. Children in a Montessori Toddler environment are capable of completing these tasks, and much more!
1. Pick up their toys and books
Even though they are young, they are still capable of picking up their toys and books. Provide bins or baskets for them to put their toys and books in. Show them how to sort and put their toys away.
2. Help clean up messes
Your little ones can definitely help in cleaning up their messes! With a little direction from you, you can show them ways to clean up their messes.
3. Crumb the table
A crumb is a small, table broom. The crumb comes with a tiny dustpan. It is used to sweep up the dry crumbs so that when you wipe off the table, the crumbs do not fall on the floor. Here is a crumbers that is perfect for little hands!
4. Put laundry in hamper
Provide a small hamper for your child, and put it in a convenient place for them to easily access it. Show them that is where they put their dirty clothes.
5. Help feed pets
Even though they are little, they can help with the feeding of your pets. With adult supervision, they can learn how to assist you with the feeding of your pets. Who wouldn’t want a little helper?!
6. Match socks
Young children learn many tasks through matching. They are totally capable of matching their socks and helping with their laundry!
7. Wipe off tables
If you show them how to wipe off a table, they can do this! Provide small hand towels for them to use so that it makes it easier for them.
7 Age appropriate chores for children 3 to 6 years old
Children around this age are capable of understanding the importance of caring for themselves and their environment. They are old enough to be responsible for much of the care of themselves, and enjoy being able to demonstrate their independence. They develop confidence and pride in being able to do tasks on their own.
1. Sweeping
Children at this age are able to sweep up messes on their own. Providing a small, age appropriate broom and dustpan will make it easier for them. Here is a great set for children to use!
2. Help wash dishes
Anything water related young kids love! They will readily want to help wash dishes. You can provide a place where they can wash dishes independently, or set up a space for them to help you. You can use a portable dish washing station or you can use a helper ladder for them to help you at the sink.
3. Help pack their lunch
Children at this age can definitely be helpful in helping to pack their lunches. They are capable of getting items to put in their lunch, as well as help with the preparation of it as well. Give them small, easy tasks at first, then add more difficult ones once they get used to helping.
4. Help prepare their snack
Children as young as 2 can help with preparing their snacks. They can help with things like spreading jam on bread, getting crackers, and even slice their banana. There are many child appropriate, safe tools to use in snack preparation. Here are some of my favorites!
5. Help sort, fold and put away laundry
Similar to the tasks for the younger child, younger children can help with simple laundry tasks. With a little help and direction from a parent, they can help sort laundry. They can also fold their laundry and put it away in its appropriate place once shown. Provide an easy, child friendly place for them to be able to assist with putting away their laundry.
6. Water plants and flowers
With proper supervision, children at this age can definitely help take care of plants. They actually LOVE participating in this activity. They take great pride in being able to care for something.
7. Help set the table
At this age, children are very good helpers. They are very capable and willing to help with setting the table. Under the supervision of an adult, you will see that this will quickly become one of their favorite chores to do!
Get your hands on 48 weekly chore charts, enough for the entire year!
Your children can easily complete their chores by using this checklist! Simply add in the corresponding week, and the tasks that need to be completed for the week. Organize chores for your children with ease and little effort! You get 4 weekly chore charts for each month of the year! Get your Weekly Chore Charts!
48 Weekly Chore Charts
Things to consider
Overall, it is important to consider each child’s development and abilities. Not all chore ideas are a good fit for each child. Use this a guide for age appropriate chore ideas for your child. Adjust the chore lists accordingly to meet the individual needs of each child.
Do your children do chores? Why or why not? I’m interested to hear your thoughts! Share your opinions on this topic as well as tell us about some of the chores your children do!
Anitra J.
*Information from the studies can be found here.*
I’m a big believer in having my children help around the house because our family is a team. We have a 7 yo and a 4 yo and they help with laundry chores, clearing the table, making their beds and general clean-up. But I don’t have them helping with snack prep. I love the tools you suggest. I’ll have to pick up that banana cutter!
Hi Meredith! That’s great that your kids help around the house! Snack/food prep can be successful with the proper, kid friendly tools!
children should be given responsibility even at young age. Working side by side teaching is the best.
Love all your chore ideas! Some of these I never would have thought of, but they’re great! I’ve been trying to find ways to incorporate chores into my almost two year old’s daily routine, so I’m definitely going to try some of your suggestions!
This is so true! Chores help them gain a sense of responsibility. I just love your chore list by age. I’m going to grab for my toddler
I love this post! Chores are so vital in a child’s life for creating responsible adults in the future.
This is such an informative post. I have 3 kids and every time I think about asking them to do a chore, I always find myself questioning if it is appropriate (or age appropriate). I really like that you listed age appropriate chores!
Excellent post. Love the breakdown of chores by age. Thanks for sharing!
My kids and I work together through out the day. Because it’s not “work” and just life they don’t argue about helping. Eventually, they start taking over chores by themselves.
So important! Thank you for sharing this❤. Can you tell me how I can get them to do their chores without them making it abundantly clear that chores are the biggest DRAG ever? Oh and I love your pretty chore charts!
Hi Leigh Ann! Glad you enjoyed my post. You could approach it the Montessori way. I had 24 kids in my classroom that cleaned up after themselves on a regular basis. You explain to them that it is their job and responsibility to clean up certain areas. I would remind them that they are important parts of the family, and their help is needed. Make them feel important and that doing their part is important as well. Hope this helps a bit.
My kids have gotten away with not doing chores, whereas by 10 I was cooking (I used to never finish eating so my mom said ok, make your own) BUT this was not a bad thing as my work revolves around food now 😉 But I really should start getting my 11 and 13 yr old more involved in the keeping of the house. Thank you for this, I will be getting them to read this too!
Great list! It’s so true that we need to implement responsibility into our children early on. I am a single mother with three children under the age of 5. The eldest child I raised with printable charts. Now I use the Manini app for three children. These are the same printable cards but in the phone. In the app, you can mark the completion of tasks and children like it very much. They actually ask for tasks themselves to make a mark the task. I felt much better. And I’m not nervous and it’s easy for children to become independent.
I love that you listed all the benefits of children doing chores. I can see why they would have better time management and be happier as adults.
Love this! I totally agree with you! Seeing a child’s face when they have done something to help, and the pride they feel is amazing!
I definitely have expectations that my son (aged 2) is to help. Although we don’t define it as chores I do expect him to help lay the table, tidy his toys with help and put his clothes in the wash basket daily. I found his Dad was/is rather hopeless with household chores and I want to instil in my son that everyone has to help and be able to enter society in the future with life long skills and knowledge. This post was very useful and has given me a better idea of what else we can introduce him to
Love this! We have 5 kids from age 7 weeks to 10 years and this gave me some great ideas!
My oldest just turned 7, I think I should teach him to fold his clothes. I’m glad I read this!
This is all very good! I love the age appropriate lists you give too to help navigate through the chores and what kiddos can do at the early ages.
It’s so important for kids to chores. Reading this post reminds me that there is so much more my son could do. Great post 😊
I think chores are so important to have for kids. My daughter helps put away her dirty clothes, folding clothes, and picking up her toys. On top of helping me take care of our dog too! It’s taught her so much at age three.
My daughter at three even does chores! It teaches her so much responsibility.
We don’t have kids yet, but we will be asking our children to help out with chores! I think they’ll be more independent and responsible when they get older and eventually live on their own.
Great post! I agree that chores teach responsibility and other life skills
[…] her more involved in cleaning the house. Anitra, the author of Chronicles of a Momtessorian has a great article about age appropriate chores to work […]