A list of chores for certain ages of children

I have taught my children to work from the time they were big enough to walk! There is no reason a child should not be taking care of their things as early as possible. Here are some things that I have done to teach my children how to help out around the house….
– As soon as they can walk, they are throwing away their own diapers. With a huge HOORAY from the family, they learn that work can be fun!
-My children always clear their own plates and cups from the table and a stool is pulled up to the sink so that they can rinse their own dishes. When they are old enough, they wash their own dishes or put them in the dishwasher themselves.
-My kids make their own beds and pick up their own clothes and toys in their room every morning before school. If it’s not done before school, they can not play with friends until it’s done. Try not to do it for them, they will learn that you will do it if they wait it out long enough, then you are creating bad habits for them!
-My kids have their own (age appropriate) chores around the house. Here is a list of things your child should know how to do at certain ages:And just in case you want to know, these are my best friend:

DISCLAIMER: Every child is different, and ready for different things at different times.  If your child is showing frustration, ease up and move on.  Eventually they will get it, and learn that cleaning can be fun (as long as the family is making it that way).  It’s like a game at our house and everyone has manageable chores.  My children are learning to be a part of a family that helps each other.

~Three Years Old:
-Dress self (I know it doesn’t sound like a chore, but you are teaching them to be independent, this includes helping pick out their clothes)
-brushing teeth with supervision
-Picking up toys
-Clean the kitchen table
-Use the toilet independently
-Help sort laundry into whites, lights, and darks
-Start learning how to hang up shirts with a hanger

~Four Years Old: (in addition to 3 yrs old)
-Make bed
-Help make breakfast
-Help make sandwiches for lunch
-Cleaning room (with games listed below)
-Learn how to use the computer (learn how to use the mouse, navigate, etc.)
~Five Years Old: (in addition)
-Vacuum
-Take garbage out
-Set and clear the table
-Start earning allowance
-Memorize Address and phone numbers
~Six Years Old: (in addition)
-Bathe or shower themselves
-Load and empty dishwasher
-Dust
-Clean countertops and sinks
-Use microwave
-Answer and make phone calls
-Care for pet
~Seven Years Old: (in addition)
-Hand wash dishes
-Clean the bathroom (toilets, sinks, tub, etc.)
-Start a savings account
~Eight Years Old: (in addition)
-Being responsible for attending and scheduling extra curricular activities like Dance, Activity Days, Scouts, etc.
-Wake up and get ready for school by self
-Clean mirrors and windows
-Personal hygiene (clipping nails, hair, cleaning, ect.)
~Nine Years Old: (in addition)
-Bake cakes and cookies
-Make simple meals (mac ‘n cheese)
-Mop and sweep
-Learn how to check oil in car
-Learn how to fill the car with gas
-Hammer and saw wood
-Earn an e-mail address (supervised)
-Start using the internet (supervised)

~Ten Years Old: (in addition)
-Do own laundry (sorting, washing, drying, folding, hanging & put away)
-Clean stove and oven
-Add to meal preparation experience
-Learn nutrition
-Gardening
-Place a collect call
-Use a pay phone
-Place a long distance call
-Write in a journal
-Star tending siblings for a short time

~Eleven Years Old: (in addition)
-Schedule for own hair cuts
-Clean out closets and drawers
-Clean out refrigerator
-Learn the basics of mending clothes
-Learn Baking (breads, pies etc.)

~Twelve Years Old: (in addition)
-Speak in public
-Learn about weight control
-Make and keep dentist and doctors appointments
-Iron own clothes
-Mow lawn
-Place a credit card order (supervised)
-Use a DSLR camera
-Learn to crochet
-Take a baby sitting class
-Start babysitting

So there is my list! Did any of it shock you? I hope not. I hope you are teaching your children to be a helpful, responsible member of the family! I know you don’t think that it’s fair for the mom to do it all right!?

Some of the games I use to get my kids to clean up their room are as follows:
-Pick a color! Mom say’s pick up everything that’s PINK! The kids run in the room and pick up everything that is pink, then run out and tell mom how many you picked up. Then mom calls out another color.
-Sort! My children share rooms so it has been a struggle to get them to clean their room because they blame it on the other person! So, I have started saying: “Tiernan picks up everything that can be worn on the body, socks, shoes, clothes, hair accessories etc. and Amara picks up everything that can be played with and the garbage.
-Use the timer! Nothing motivates a kid like a time limit! Who ever finishes before the timer goes off gets a special prize or treat! Of course mom warns them with how much time is left, and she goes and checks to make sure they did it!
One very important thing is to TEACH YOUR CHILDREN HOW YOU WANT THEM TO CLEAN!!!! You can’t expect your children to do it right if they have never been taught. As you introduce new chores to your kids, take time to teach them the right way to do it. Help them for the first 3 times they are responsible for that chore then check to make sure they do it right afterward. If they didn’t, say “Okay, great job! I am so proud of you, but let’s go over how to clean the sink again!” Make sure you are always praising, never degrading.

Here is a link to the chore charts I use for my children. One great thing that I use are flip pages. They take the children through their chore one step at a time. They work great!
See my post HERE to download my chore cards.