Age-appropriate Chores
Many parents and carers wonder at what age children should be able to help out around the house. Sometimes expectations are too high, sometimes expectations are too low, sometimes it just isn’t worth the fight and it’s quicker to do it yourself. Here are some benchmarks from the Australian parenting website, Raising Children Network.
Ages 2-3
- Pick up toys and books
- Wipe up messes
- Put laundry in washing basket
- Put clothes on clothes hangers
- Dust (with a duster or a cloth)
Ages 4-6
- Any previous chores
- Take care of pets
- Set & clear the table
- Help sort clean washing into piles for each family member
- Putting away groceries
- Make their bed
- Tidy their room
- Fold small laundry items
- Empty the rubbish
Ages 7-10
- Any previous chores
- Fold laundry
- Sweep
- Get mail
- Vacuuming
- Help washing the car
- Water plants
- Take out the rubbish
- Supervised meal preparation
Ages 11+
- Any previous chores
- Wash dishes
- Unload dishwasher
- Take wheelie bins to the curb
- Mop floors
- Mow yard
- Pack lunches
- Clean bathroom
- Clean out the fridge
- Supervise siblings
- Wash windows
Some things to keep in mind
- Younger children may need reminding, and will need you to make it fun. Make them feel accomplished and grown up, give encouragement and praise, pay more attention to successes than failures.
- Older children will need consequences for not completing chores as they were asked to do, which must be followed through. Discuss consequences prior in a family meeting if you like, have them included on the chore schedule that you post on the wall. Consequences may be missing out on something they like, such as no smartphone/tablet/TV/computer/Playstation/XBox for a period of time, revoking a privilege such as going out to play with friends or removal of a favourite toy, not receiving dessert/treats for the week or not receiving pocket money in the absence of completed chores. It is up to you what works.
- Remember that these are life skills. Kids flourish with responsibility and with parents who see them as capable and encourage them to be helpful in the family environment. Instead of chores being a punishment, they are symbolic of a child’s progression towards being a ‘grown up’ and feelings of being a contributing member of the family unit.