Overview
Oftentimes parents wonder if they should really assign their kids chores. After all, isn't it the parents' responsibility to manage the household? And don't kids need an opportunity to 'just be kids' for now because they have the rest of their lives to worry about chores?
Also parents feel most kids have really busy schedules too. They rush around from one activity to the next with little time to clean the house or help mom do the dishes when the bai took the day off. Despite those concerns, however, giving your child chores may be one of the most important things you'll ever do.
💡 Kids who do chores learn responsibility early on, and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. Giving kids chores can help shape their character
Benefits
While assigning your kids chores is a fair amount of strain off you, that's not the only reason parents should expect kids to pitch in around the house. Studies show chores are good for children.
Research from a well-known 75-year Harvard study examined the childhood psychosocial variables and biological processes that predicted health and well-being later in life. Researchers 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.
Why is sweeping the floor and clearing the table so important to kids' 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. It goes a long way to recognise and encourage their smallest efforts.
Doing chores also helps kids feel like they're part of the team. Pitching in and helping family members is good for them and it encourages them to be good citizens.
Chores for Preschoolers
Preschool children can be given simple chores that involve picking up after themselves like picking up their toys after play. They can also begin to learn how to tidy up their room and put their dishes away after a meal.
Because young children cannot read, they will respond well to sticker charts with pictures to help remind them to do their chores.
Chores for School-Age Children
Children attending school can be given greater responsibility of chores. This could involve picking up after themselves, for example, teaching kids to put their shoes and backpacks away when they get home from school.
Gradually add new chores to your child's chore list. As chores become more complex, teach them in a step-by-step manner how to do each task. For example, if a child is expected to put his own clothes away, teach him where to put the clothes and discuss your expectations. Using praise to encourage good behaviours is a great practice. Don’t expect perfection.
Chores for Tweens
Tweens can start learning how to take on more responsibility for example cleaning the bathroom, sweeping the floors, and dusting might be some of the tasks you may add to your child's to-do list.
Helping the family may be an expectation from a tween, and there's no need to reward them for every task they complete. However, paying your tween an allowance or creating a token economy system that can be exchanged for time with electronics or outings with friends can be a good way to start teaching your child financial responsibility.
Chores for Teenagers
Teenagers need chores that will prepare them for the real world after high shcool and live independently. Assign chores such as meal preparation, running errands to the negihbourhood store or doing the laundry. Giving your teen an allowance - a weekly payment - can motivate him to do chores and may also teach him how to manage money. Loans should not be given, and handing out money without having earned it should not be encouraged.
