5 Household Chores for Your Child
image via lanekids
Your child wants to be involved in purposeful, real activities. But there may be a few select chores that they can be successful at, given the right time and space for trial and error.
Helping fold laundry. Invite your child to find all the matching socks! They will delight in the matching game and then show them how you roll, fold or store. They can also assist in putting the clothing away in proper drawers and begin some basic folding techniques.
Setting the table. Demonstrate for your child how you carry one plate at a time, or one spoon at a time. Given the right limit, they should be able to manage carrying something fragile and delicate, and making sure each place setting has what they need.
Cleaning up spills and crumbs. For the table, your child can manage a small table dustpan to capture crumbs or playdoh messes. On the floor, an appropriate sized dust pan and brush. A cloth for the floor, washcloths are a great sized towel for your child to manage for cleaning. Store all child cleaning supplies in a low drawer or shelf, so they can independently manage when they notice a mess.
Unloading the Dishwasher. Your child can assist you in organizing the silverware drawer, sometimes pulling out the drawer organizer and placing it on their table so they can safely place things away is helpful.
Vacumming or carpet sweeping. With a small hand held dust buster, your child may be able to help with caring for the carpet or cleaning the car! A carpet sweeper is a quieter way for your child to help care for rugs in the home.
It’s important to note that your child will not do everything perfectly. You do not need to correct or show them additional messes they may have missed- you should allow them some freedom to feel that they are managing it successfully. It will be their invitation and empowerment to continue to care for and clean around the house. You can find a quiet moment later to go back in and clean anything they may have missed.