Parents struggle with whether or not to give their children chores. After all, shouldn’t they focus on being a kid? And these days, kids keep very busy schedules, but it is actually one of the most important things a parent can do. Kids who do chores learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Kids who do chores learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
There are many studies that show chores are good for children. Researchers have concluded that kids who had chores fared better later in life. Chores were the best predictor of which kids were more likely to become happy, healthy, independent adults.
You may be asking why sweeping the floor or clearing the table is so important to your child’s well-being in life. One reason is that kids feel competent when they do their chores. Whether they’re making their bed or they’re sweeping the floor, helping out around the house helps kids feel capable.
Doing chores also helps kids feel like they’re part of a team. Pitching in and helping family members is good for them and it encourages them to be good citizens.
Chores for Preschoolers
- Picking up their toys each day
- Picking up their room
- Making their bed
- Putting their dishes away after a meal
Chores for School-Age Children
- Continuing the chores of picking up after themselves
- Putting their shoes and backpacks away when they get home from school
- Putting their clothes away
- Setting the table
Chores for Tweens
- Continuing the chores of picking up after themselves
- Cleaning the bathroom
- Taking out the trash
- Sweeping the floors, vacuuming, and dusting
- Loading and unloading the dishwasher
Chores for Teenagers
- Preparing a meal
- Mowing the lawn
- Doing the laundry
Giving your children chores to complete will only help them down the road and may be the most important thing you’ll ever do.