A Housework Scheme For Children
Even if you have never thought about it, our children are able to help us from an early age to complete some of the housework. It is not a question of letting them do it alone, but of having them help us, thus making them gradually acquire responsibilities.
However, the important thing is to choose suitable household chores for all ages. And give him the opportunity to do them even if they are often wrong. There are children who never ask or show interest in this type of homework. But there are also other children who want to help and collaborate.
Our children are able to do a lot of housework. They will initially get it wrong and hurt them, but they will soon learn from their mistakes. You have to let them try, even if afterwards you have to help them finish or improve the result.
The chores that children can do vary according to their age. Below we recommend a list of chores by age that your children will be able to do without too much difficulty.
Housework for children according to age:
2 to 3 years
If you want the little ones to do something at home, try to make it simple and linked to their own autonomy. Children at this age can start eating alone, dressing and undressing unaided.
They will also love watering the plants and helping us out in the garden. They can set the children’s table with plastic cups and plates. A good idea is to teach them from an early age to arrange games in their room.
From 4 to 5 years
These are children with greater autonomy, who can help with more housework. They can set and clear the table or even feed pets.
Under our supervision, they can even put their plate in the dishwasher. They can also help harvest dry leaves in the garden or water plants with a watering can.
6 to 7 years
These children can help with many household chores. First of all with tasks related to one’s personal autonomy, such as brushing one’s face and teeth alone. They can also put their dirty clothes in the laundry basket, do their homework, prepare the backpack and clothes for the next day on their own and keep the bedroom tidy every day.
They can help you prepare your shopping list and drive you to the supermarket. Other chores suitable for this age may include helping to empty the dishwasher and answering the phone, even relaying simple messages.
8 to 9 years
At this age they can already help you with household chores proper. They can assist in more specific tasks such as taking out the trash, vacuuming, mopping, and even sweeping. They can also put dirty clothes in the washing machine basket or put clean and ironed clothes in the closet drawers.
They can help you wash your car and remove weeds in the garden. With regard to their autonomy, however, they must already be able to organize their school tasks by themselves and keep their bedroom always tidy.
10 to 12 years
At this age, children should be completely autonomous. They have to shower unaided, organize their room, keep the closet tidy with clean clothes and neat drawers, and choose the clothes to wear the next day. They can do their homework on their own and prepare their backpack and books for the next day.
They should also check their school diary and call some classmates if they have forgotten to mark something important. As for household chores, in addition to the previous ones they can fill the dishwasher and even start it.
From 12 to 14 years
Finally, children between the ages of 12 and 14 must already have complete autonomy with regard to study and school assignments. They can help younger siblings get dressed and undressed. They may also run simple family errands, such as going out to buy bread or the newspaper.
Another idea is to ask them to help us put the clothes in the washing machine, separating the colors from the whites, hang them out to dry and fold what does not need to be ironed such as pajamas, underwear or socks. They should also help set and clear the table, fill and empty the dishwasher, and sweep the kitchen after eating.
