Children are more capable than we sometimes give them credit for. A great way to capitalize on this, and give them responsibility and a sense of importance, is to involve them in your daily chores! If your preschooler can navigate a smart phone, they can definitely learn to help out with these chores around the house:
Making Beds
Once you take a time or two to teach your child how to make their bed, ask them to do it on their own when they get up in the mornings. It may not look remotely close to how it does when you do it, but they will be so proud of themselves and it’s a great start to their day!
Getting Dressed
I could run a hilarious Instagram page with images of kids in outfits they chose. Boy, do they have interesting taste. But dressing themselves teaches them independence and brings out their individuality. If it’s hard for you to give them complete control, then lay out their clothes for them the night before and rest easy knowing that even though they may be on backwards and inside out, at least they match.
Laundry
I went off to college not knowing how to do my own laundry. It took several loads of ruined clothes before I realized laundry requires some foresight and knowledge. Toddlers can help by gathering dirty laundry, matching socks while you fold, and putting clean clothes in their appropriate drawers. Starting around five or six years old, they can also be taught how to sort their dirty clothes, measure detergent, select a wash setting, move clothes from the washer to the dryer, and fold and put them away. Make sure to keep a stool in the laundry room so they have no excuses!
Unloading Dishes
Let your little helpers put away the silverware and plastic from the dishwasher while you handle the breakable items. We keep a low drawer in our kitchen for kid-friendly dishes and plastic food storage containers to make it easy for them to access.
Setting & Clearing the Table
Ask your child to put out the place mats, napkins, and silverware. Throw in a little counting exercise by telling them how many spoons, forks, etc. need to be at each place setting. After your child has been excused, have them take their plates and glasses to the sink. There may be some spills along the way, but this is a good habit for them to get into!
Cooking/Prepping Meals
Involve your kiddos where you can in the cooking process. It may take more time and patience on your end, but they’ll learn how much goes into preparing each meal and may even surprise you by trying something new if they helped make it!
Picking up Toys
At the end of playtime or at the end of the day, have your child help put the toys away. This is also a kind gesture to do at the end of a play date at a friend’s house.
Feeding Pets
Pets are members of the family, too, and taking care of them is a very important responsibility! Keep the bowls and food in places that are easily accessible for your children. Giving the pet a treat is even more fun for the littles, so make sure to include them on the best part!
Bringing in the Mail
The anticipation of whether or not anything will be in the mailbox makes this chore exciting for your helper! This is also a good way to start teaching about recycling. Be sure to scan the ground after they bring it in to make sure nothing important fell out of their little fingers.
Doing things for our kids may be easier and faster than letting them do it themselves, but if you teach these chores now, you will help put your kid on a path to independence!
