When children start to show that they can do things a little more independently, being little helpers makes them happy. When children have a positive experience with responsibility early on, it helps them get used to helping others and keeping their own rooms tidy.
start early
Around age two, earlier for some and later for others, children can begin to help by putting away their toys, feeding a pet, putting clothes in a hamper, and stacking things neatly. You know your son more than anyone, so he knows what he is capable of. Many children, even in their early years, want to show that they “can do it” and like to feel that they are making a contribution to the family. Starting early with small tasks will get them into the habit of taking responsibility.
have fun
Tasks don’t have to be terrible, that’s for sure! You can turn on the music and dance with them while they do their work, set a timer and have a “race,” or anything that might keep chores from being too mundane. Of course, as they get older, this can be a bit more difficult to do, but in the beginning little ones love to have fun while picking up.
Be consistent
Always be consistent. If children know that they don’t always have to clean up, or that you will do it for them, it can confuse them and even cause them to take advantage of the situation. In parenting, consistency is key, especially when it comes to routines. Making chores part of a routine will make it much easier. Also, being consistent with praise every time they make an effort (even if they don’t do it quite “right”) will also keep them motivated and happy on the inside.
age appropriate
There are many resources available that have age-appropriate chore lists for children; however, you know your child’s abilities better than anyone! Different families also have different types of chores; some families have pet-related chores, while others don’t. One suggestion is that you can write down the tasks that you would like to have done and, depending on your child’s age, think about which ones they can do (or learn to do).
make a chart
One idea about assigning chores to children is to have a rotation chart. If you have more than one child of different ages, this works well! When chores are rotated, this means that on some days one child will only have to put away the laundry, while the other will have to help with the bathrooms. This allows for variety and does not have each child do the same task over and over again. No one wants to be assigned the “oooh yuck!” chores every day, right?
If you are considering assigning homework to your child, these suggestions may help. Many children look forward to doing so, especially when they are young.