Every child must have chores to do. It gives them dignity in work and the joy of labor.
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I hope you are having a wonderful day…
In this article, I wish to share games and gifts that are not just fun but will help teach daily living skills, such as tidy up your room, brushing your teeth, dressing up, cleaning, plant watering, fold clean clothes, sorting dirty clothes, make your own sandwich…
I see those chores as important to teach, not to help us, parents, at home because especially at the beginning, it will make it worst! You should see my 6 years old boy washing dishes and happy about it! I need to then clean the whole floor after him and lots of water is wasted…Children need to be trained with patience so it will take time to learn and do it well and we, parents, need to train again and again so one day they feel confident, responsible and can do it great. The main purpose of this is for our children to take an active role at home, feel needed and feel the family can trust you. This is a very important part as a child growing in a healthy family.
At the bottom of this article, you will find a list of chores you can expect from your child at each age. Those are recommendations only. Each child is different and you know best your children!
I wish to reinforce children do not need any gifts or toys to learn chores and take part in the house responsibility but the products mentioned in this article below will only make it easier, funner or safer in some cases for them and for you…
- to learn to Dress up, try the Teddy Wear Toddler Learning Toy for Age 18 months+ or this teddy bear dress me to learn Zipping, lacing, snapping, buckling, button-up cloth activity!
- To learn brushing teeth, You have the BriteBrush, the Interactive Smart Kids Toothbrush, with smart sensors, side change recognition and a vibrating handle. There is another product I found but I am not sure how much I love it as it requires a smartphone at very early age! so in case your 5 years old anyway has a phone, here it is. Looks fun!
- Learn sorting to get better at sorting dirty clothes! Check the smart Sort in The Box game! I love it!! Once sorting is well practiced for fun, this kind of laundry sorter basket will help kids sort the clothes as well!
- For children to start to Comb or brush their own hair, try the Barbie Styling Head or Moana Styling Head. Those are fun and a nice way to practice!
- Buy this knife so your child can make her own sandwich at early age. This stool will help keeping her safe near you while working in the kitchen!
- To learn lacing shoes, try this one! This will encourage independence and fine motor skills from Age 3!
- To peel carrots or potatoes, use a safe peeler like this one or a full set like this. You can also use the TruChef Resistant Gloves for Ages 4-8.
- For cooking and baking from age 9-10, check this complete Gift set!
- While they learn how to clean bathroom sink, toilet, and tub, make sure to use safe supplies like this one.
- Lear how to Water plants, flowers and garden thanks to the beautiful watering can or the Green Toys Watering Can. Check even this Magical Garden Growing Kit with Tools, Seeds, Soil … in order to inspire Horticulture Learning!
- To teach responsibility with your pet, check this article with beautiful DIY activities for kids!
- To enjoy taking a shower alone, children do not need anything but this shower head may help! Also, here you will find lots of recommended bath toys!
- For Morning and evening routine, try those charts!
- To learn how to organize your room, try the Tidy Up game! I love this company!
- Here is a Color Changing Kitchen Sink
gift for children to start learning how to wash dishes!
- To learn how to fold clothes, I would start with Origami! or the Think Fun Fold-It Brainteaser Challenge Game!
- And last link for today: to start cleaning while playing, you can start with those toys, that will help the learning process:)
As promised, here is the list of chores that children can do per age. This was taken from an Adler class I participated where learned so much. Thank you Tali. I added info thanks to https://www.busykidshappymom.org.
Of course, all what is included under your child age in addition to all what is written under lower age, so if your child is 4 years old, you can check the list under Age 4 but also Age 2-3!
Age 2-3:
- Collect toys and put them in order
- Sweep floor with small broom
Clean something that spilled - Arrange forks and napkins for diner on the table
- Choose what to wear, what to eat for breakfast and where to sit
- Help with dishes from dishwasher
- Toilet Training
- Start washing hands alone, brushing teeth alone, comb.
- Dress up with some help
- Arrange from supermarket
- Weed from the garden
Age 4:
- Set the table
- Put shopping in place
- Feed the pets
- Help cleaning backyard
- Help arranging bed
- Clean dust from furniture
- Vacuum Cleaning
- Make sandwich or snack for kindergarten
- Start making your own breakfast (if milk and cereals of course!)
- Help in preparing dinner
- Hang Laundry if all safe
- Sharpen pencils
- Help clean the car from outside
- Play independently
- Help making list for supermarket and help while in the supermarket
- Prepare sandwich and clean after it
- Set up the table for diner
- Pour a drink
- Decide what to dress and dress up
- Learn to dial on the phone to reach mom or dad
- Take a shower
- Throw to garbage
- Sort the dirty laundry: white and dark
- Clean mirrors
Age 6:
- Vacuum carpets
- Clean sink after use
- Water plants
- Arrange the bed
- Take the dog for a walk
- Peel vegetables
Age 7:
- Wash and train the dog
- Go to bed alone
- Clean pet cages and food bowls
- Sweep porches, decks, driveways and walkways
- Take a written phone message
- Learn basic food groups and good nutrition habits
- Read and prepare a simple recipe
- Be familiar with cooking, measuring tools and their uses
- Money management (earning money and saving for a goal)
- Carry dirty clothes hamper to laundry room
- Sort clothes for washing by color and fabric and check pockets
Age 8-9:
- Set up the table for diner with knife, fork, napkins
- Fold towels
- Help clean the fridge
- Write greeting cards for birthdays and holidays to grandparents and family around
- Read recipe and start cooking or baking
- Collect fruits from trees
- babysit for short with younger sibling
- Feed baby with bottle
Age 9-10:
- Replace bed sheets
- Help with washing machine
- Understand the importance of ingredient and nutrient labeling
- Bake cookies from scratch
- Repair bicycle tire and learn basic adjustments
- Know basic emergency first-aid procedures
- Be able to do family laundry completely
Age 11:
- Bake muffins and biscuits
- Make a green salad and dressing
- Wash the car
- Learn basic electrical repairs
Age 12-15:
- Volunteer at the library or food bank
- Perform basic first aid and CPR
- Time Management (should be able to manage an entire day of activities & assignments)
- Type with proficiency
- Money Management: Budgeting basics, Charitable Giving, Spending Plan)
- Have a work experience (paid or unpaid) with responsibilities and set hours.
Age 16-18:
- Plan well-balanced meals, including shopping and cooking
- Pass a driver’s test
- Write checks and balance a checkbook
- Fill out a job application
- Make one complete meal (nothing gourmet, just make sure they can feed themselves)
- Money Management: Budget / Cash Flow, Debit cards vs. Credit Cards, Fraud Protection, Teaching Investing
- Prepare a resume
