Last week, I wrote a little of why it is important to teach our children to work. This week is some practical “how to.” Dear reader, please understand, my approach is not the only way to do things. Most of this a cumulation of good advice that has helped me. I share it in hopes that it may also help you.
When do I start requiring my children to do chores?
Tomorrow (or as soon as possible). Sit down and think about what you’d like them to do this evening and then tell them at breakfast what your plan is. I have found it helpful to make a list for myself and my children together. Here is mine as an example:
But I can’t keep up with housework as it is. How could I possibly start teaching my children chores?
In almost every circumstance when I have been overwhelmed by the amount of housework I have had, I have found it helpful to involve my children. Shared work is less of a burden and more of a joy. For instance, when I clean the bathrooms, they can shake out the rugs, sweep/vacuum the floors, empty the trash cans and spray and wipe the counters and mirrors. Meanwhile, I scrub the toilet and shower.
Also, not everything needs to happen all at once. Pick one task, and work on implementing that.
How do I teach them?
Use this method:
I do. We do. You do.
This is a wonderful way to teach many things. Choose a task (for example, spraying and wiping the table).
I do – Show the child where the supplies are. Then, show them how much to spray and how to wipe over the whole surface. Talk about the wrong way to do it.
We do – The next day do it together. Ask the child where to find the supplies. Ask how much they need to spray and how much they need to wipe. Allow them to work.
You do – The next day, ask the child if she can do it by herself. You watch her as she does it. Praise her if she remembers everything.
Finally, give yourselves time. Don’t try this right before an early morning appointment. Be patient with yourself and your child as you both are learning!
What are some practical chores I can give my child according to his age?
None of these are hard and fast rules. Each child is different in his or her capabilities. These would be cumulative (that is, you can add the chores to the previous ones as they grow older):
18 month old
- Pick up toys
- Empty small trash cans into the large trash can
- Take a small pile of folded clothes and place them in her drawer
- Put her (plastic) plate back to the kitchen sink when she is finished eating
3-4 years old
- Strip his bed of sheets and take them to the laundry room
- Bring his hamper to the laundry room. He might even load it if you keep a small stool there (or if you have a front loading washer)
- Put away clean silverware.
- Clean up his toys
- Spray and wipe the dining room table.
5-6 years old
- Sweep piles into dustpan
- Use a small hand vacuum
- Help fold laundry
- Pick up sticks in the yard before mommy mows
7-8 years old
- Take trash bag out to the can
- Take the trash can to the street on trash day
- Learn to use a broom and mop (lightweight)
- Take turns loading or unloading the dishes
- Put sheets back on the bed (if your child doesn’t have the dexterity to do this independently, you can help by putting the first two corners on for him and then having him stretch to the other two corners)
May God bless each of us as we strive to raise our children to be like him!
Image by Julio César Velásquez Mejía from Pixabay
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