There are times when, without realizing it, many parents do household chores and forget that children should also participate in them. We think things like they're too small that they don't know how to do it well, that it will take a long time or that they will leave it worse when they finish than before they started. But you should know that it is never too early to give meaning to family and responsibilities to your children, indeed, they need it.
Children need responsibilities at home in order to increase their self-esteem, make them feel useful and also have responsibilities at home that I do little by little, feel responsible for your own life. Children as young as two years old are capable of doing things at home and they feel very happy about it. So today I want to give you some age-appropriate to-do lists that your kids can have right now, even if it's with supervision. These are guidelines that you should adjust to the individual capabilities of your children and your family lifestyle.
The sooner the better
From the age of two, children love to contribute to the housework because they will be helping their parents and they will also feel very happy to do things well. It's never too early to give kids responsibilities and chores And it is never too late if you have let it go too long, although the older your child is, the more difficult it will be for him to get into the habit of having responsibilities at home since he has become used to having everything done.
On the other hand, when they are younger (from two years old), children will internalize that they have to do chores at home and that they have a series of responsibilities that they must do (as parents do) and little by little As they grow, it will be much easier for them and for you, that they understand that everyone under one roof has responsibilities to fulfill.
Then find the age of your children and see what kinds of activities they can do or help you do. Of course, remember to adapt the activities to your child's abilities.
Boys and girls from 2 to 3 years old
- Wipe a stain from a table, door, or floor with a damp cloth.
- Throw the garbage in the garbage can.
- Collect your toys and store them in a toy box.
- Fold the cloths.
Boys and girls from 4 to 5 years old
- Fix shelves.
- Put the cutlery in its place.
- Help clean a room.
- Sweep with a mini broom.
- Clean the dinner table with a damp cloth when it is collected.
Boys and girls from 6 to 7 years old
- Cleaning the bathroom: cleaning the sink, mirror or toilet.
- Take dirty clothes to the laundry basket.
- Fold dry and clean clothes.
- Unload the dishwasher and put everything in its place.
- Wash dishes by hand.
- Put the clothes in and out of the dryer.
Boys and girls from 8 to 9 years old
- Dust the furniture.
- Vacuuming.
- Take out the trash.
- Pottering in the garden.
- Fix kitchen furniture.
Boys and girls from 10 to 12 years old
- Mowing.
- Wash the clothes by hand.
- Put the washing machine.
- Make simple meals.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
- Clean the kitchen.
- Take care of younger children (in the same place where there are adults).
- Clean inside the fridge.
- Help wash the car.
- Separate garbage for recycling.
Boys and girls over 13 years old
- Cleaning the bathtub or shower.
- Make the dinner.
- Wash the car.
- Clean windows.
- Water the garden.
- Iron the clothes.
In these task lists, you must remember that as children get older, tasks are added to those of previous years.