Being a family, no matter how big or small, means helping each other in the household. Part of the responsibility of mamas and papas is instilling this mindset in your beans and assigning household chores is one way to accomplish it. Not only that, but house chores can also help the little ones learn about the value of being responsible. It is important to let them know these lessons at a young age. But for most parents, little to few ideas come to mind on how to approach this period of teaching and when it comes to a list of household chores to assign.
Getting to Know
The beans will most likely ask “what is a household chore” if mamas and papas simply assign tasks right off the bat. It is important to explain every detail along with the benefits they can get from doing these. Parents have the role to help their children understand at a young age that household chores aren’t just tasks but can strengthen the teamwork of the family and help them be ready as they grow up. It will not take a day or two but through consistent communication of its purpose, the kids will eventually realize and exhibit the following benefits:
- Being responsible and having self-discipline
- Improves working with others or enhancing teamwork capabilities
- Improves certain life skills
- Feel confident or have a higher self-esteem
- Learn about hard work and delayed gratification
Some mamas and papas feel guilty about seeing their little ones work at a very young age. But as parents, it is needed to be understood that assigning house chores serve as an introduction of the kids to the real world and can generally mold their characters too. On the other hand, mamas and papas should not also be too strict. It’s also critical that the kids have a sense of enjoyment when finishing their list of household chores. Being too lenient or too strict, too slow or too fast in assigning to do’s can backfire. That’s why we’ll brief you on how to properly get your bean involved and some household chore examples for starters.
Motivation to Do Chores
Yes, most of us will agree that household chores are usually dreadful right? Especially for the young ones, simply hearing these may even drain their energy already. That’s why before we get into the assigned household chores examples, it is important to know how to motivate them right from the start. Once motivated, consistently done, and felt the responsibility, doing house chores may already become a routine or habit for them.
Talking about the “why”
When starting to let the beans do some simple household chores, it’s important to explain to them what is a household chore and what’s the purpose of doing these. Like mentioned earlier, this is for them to understand the tasks even when they are grown. Be mindful that this can be carried as they get older and reach adulthood. A combination of “helping the family” and “keeping the surroundings neat” can go a long way in molding them to become helpful and organized respectively.
Doing it together in the beginning
It’s a fun way to bond with your little one when doing some starter chores. Also, it can be a way to teach them the proper way of doing the task until they can handle it on their own. Learning process is the key concept in this type of motivation as house chores may come as spiritless to the kids if they go through it alone.
Praising and showing interest
Being seen that they have done a great job is one way to keep the little ones motivated to do household chores. It’s important as parents to show that we are appreciative and caring of their efforts for their energy to not be lost.
Reward system
This type of motivation is also a way to further the level of teaching responsibility. But the type of rewards may depend on you, mamas and papas. There are families who reward the little ones with pocket money for chores. Not only will this keep them interested in doing the tasks but also teaches them about responsibility when it comes to earning, saving, and spending money. Some families who don’t believe in monetary rewards simply teach their children to prioritize finishing the list of household chores over leisure or play time. Doing one’s responsibility before slacking off is really applicable in the whole aspect of life, isn’t it? It’s up to you but whatever reward you may have, it’s a great way to keep chores in their routine.
Household Chore Examples at Every Age
It’s needed for mamas and papas to be aware that teaching chores needs progression too. So we start with the more simple tasks during the early ages and work our way up on what chores become applicable to the beans’ abilities. These are just some of the assigned household chore examples for the kids.
Toddlers (2-3 year olds)
Beans at this age still have their nursery and the family home as their world. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t start learning responsibility. Introducing them to what a household chore is at this age compliments the early development of their minds and actions. Examples of assigned household chores at this level are the simplest tasks that can be done in tidying up their room or preparing for mealtime.
- Pick up toys and books
- Put clothes on clothes hooks
- Set placemats on the dinner table
Preschoolers (4-5 year olds)
As the kids start to learn more various concepts in school, it’s also the perfect time to widen their horizons when it comes to household chores. Preschoolers can now take on tasks that have added responsibility for them.
- Set the table for meals
- Help with preparing meals, under supervision
- Help put clean and folded clothes into piles for each family member
- Help with grocery shopping and putting away groceries
Middle childhood/School age (6-11 year olds)
As the kids age, we introduce them to house chores all around the home. Aside from being organized and neat, household chores that stand out at this phase is the introduction to them about taking care of others.
- Water the garden and indoor plants
- Feed (and bathe, if applicable) pets
- Watch baby sibling/baby relatives (if applicable), under supervision
- Help with hanging out clothes and folding washing
- Take out the trash
- Help with choosing meals and shopping
- Help with cooking meals and serving, under supervision
- Vacuum or sweep floors
- Clean the bathroom sink, wipe down kitchen benches, or mop floors
- Wash and put away dishes and utensils
Teenage years (12-18 year olds)
As the kids become teenagers and have learned all the previously mentioned tasks, everything that’s part of the list of household chores may now be applicable to be performed. Plus, more difficult house chores may be asked to be done by themselves, especially those requiring supervision when they were younger. Teens can now learn the responsibility of cooking, ironing clothes, cleaning the bathroom, and other chores depending on what skills mamas and papas plan for their little one to learn.
A Team Under One Roof
It’s important to keep in mind that assigning the kids chores is to teach them responsibility and the value of teamwork. With that, be sure to set an example for them. Most parents may go beyond what is expected and instruct only the kids to do all the chores when the time comes. Remember that family is all about helping each other and what the beans learn at a young age, they will mostly carry in their own households in the future. Now, on to your journey with your beans, mamas and papas!
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