Chores

Giving children regular chores can be a benefit to everyone in a family. Children feel a sense of belonging and pride when they contribute to the household. Children also learn responsibility from chores. Rewarding children for doing chores teaches them that their hard work has positive consequences. Other family members also benefit from help with household tasks. Below are answers to common questions about children and chores.

At what age should children start doing chores?

• Children can start doing chores earlier than most parents think. Even a one year old can help parents put toys in a basket at clean-up time. Start simple with young children. Giving simple instructions (for example, "put the doll in the basket") can be considered a "chore" for a young child.
• As children grow, you can expect them to do more and with less help.
• If your child is older and has never done chores, it is not too late to start. Your child may need help from you and extra reminders in the beginning. Over time, your child can learn to do chores.

What chores should my child do?

• What chores your child should do depends on his/her age and abilities.
• Young children can often handle doing one or two small things each day. A toddler may help pick up a few toys with help, put books on a low shelf, or put clothes in a hamper. Preschool aged children can help set the dinner table, clean-up, make beds, fold clothes, or feed pets. Young children need lots of supervision and help from parents.
• Once children are in school they can do more. School-aged children can sort laundry, set and clear the table, pick up around the house, dust, keep their rooms clean, and/or vacuum.
• Teenagers can handle several big chores throughout the week. You may have your child be responsible for the dishes, vacuuming and sweeping, keeping their rooms clean, walking and feeding pets, and/or washing the car.

How will my child remember to do his/her chore?

• You can create a chores chart and hang it where your child will see it (for example, on the fridge). Write the chores on a piece of paper or poster board. Get your child involved. Have him/her decorate the chore chart to make it fun.
• It is a good idea to change chores every so often (for example, every week) so no one gets stuck with a really bad chore for a long time. You can announce chores at a weekly family meeting. Some families have children pick chores out of a hat at the beginning of the week.
• Be prepared to remind your child. Young children need lots of reminders, help, and lots of praise for doing chores. Even older children need reminders. Children with ADHD often need extra reminders. Try to be patient when giving reminders. Do not give reminders so often that it becomes nagging.

Should my child be rewarded for doing chores?

• Yes. Just as adults are "rewarded" for going to work by getting a paycheck, children should get some sort of reward for their work too. This reward does not have to be expensive or elaborate, however.
• Some children are rewarded by just getting their parents positive attention. Praise your child for doing chores. Tell him/her, "You did a great job!" or "Wow, you did awesome!"
• Giving a small allowance for doing chores works in some families. A dollar a week works well for young children or $5 for older children. If you do not have the money to pay an allowance, find other ways to reward your child.
• Giving stickers for doing chores works well for young children. You may even want to put stickers right on the chore chart.
• Keep track of how many chores your child has done with stickers or points and let your child "cash in" their points for a prize. For example, taking your child for ice cream after they get 20 points.