chores at what age

[Valerie1979]

i have a 4 year old and I'm trying to determine what is appropriate for "chores" for him.
he does clean up his room/toys and he will assist with putting laundry away and cleaning off the tables.
I know that he is still young, but I think it's ok for him to help out a little as well, as long as he can do the tasks safely, etc.

[bretay]

I agree.I can remember always having chores of some kind.My daughters had chores according to age.Things that I knew they could do.And now my granddaughters have chores when they are over here and they also have them at home.They are 7 and 10 and they have had them for a long time.One of them is clothes.My daughter folds them and they come and pick them up and take them where they go.They keep up their room and their bathroom.

[ladavia89]

They should have chores they are capable of at their age/maturity level. I know my 6 year old cousin has to clean up her room as well as fold and put up her clothing and towels. She also likes to sweep and help put away groceries. You should pick things they can do and might actually enjoy so they get in the routine of helping out early

[donnainky]

I think it is never to early to start chores. With my son, I started when he was little by having him pick up all the toys he had played with. We made it into a game so it was fun. As he got older things were added. Keeping his room clean, putting his clothes away, taking out the trash, raking leaves and cutting grass. I like to think it payed off. As an adult he is rather self sufficient, knows how to cook and wash clothes.

[radlittlelady]

My son is just two but we likes to copy me - cleaning, vacuuming, picking up toys. Just as long as it is fun for him and not a drag its a good thing.

[kingozzy]

thats perfect to start, help with laundry and dishes maybe have him start taking out the garbage or unloading the dishwasher

[sak4kat]

I absolutely agree with you.  Children doing chores in the household give them a sense of belonging, contributing, learning and taking pride in there own responsibilities.  When my daughter was four I introduced her to putting the silver ware away (no knives or sharp objects - that's a big kids job)  Now she's a little older so we've adapted her tasks. ie: she pulls the tabs off of the families pop cans (we donate them to the Ronald McDonald House through a local hair salon) She then bags the cans and her, her brother and sister crush them.  Twice a year I take the kids to have the cans recycled and they split the profit.

[twotails12]

um, have them just pick up their toys. or something simple. dont over do it lol. something the age can handle

i have been doing chores since i was 5 :/ so yeah, maybe wait a year

[clickers]

I started mine with chores early on as well. They kept their rooms clean, folded their clothes, cleaned the dining room table, washed the dishes. In order for children to have a sense of responsibility they need to be trained to do so.  Don't expect teenagers to clean all of a sudden, they will have an attitude about it. Children who start early don't have that when are  teenagers.

[catherinedwhite]

I don't call them chores - I try to making cleaning the house a fun time.
We pump up the jams and dance around like crazy people while we
vacuum and mop and do all kinds of chores (shhh don't tell them) around the house.

[raven1114]

Assuming the mental level is on par a 4 year old could help clean their room, pick up their toys, help clear the table, help wash dishes ( yup help wash dishes, if my two year old can do it I think a 4 year old can as well.) they can rinse plastic dishes. They can help dust, wipe off a table. Help fold and put away clothes. I'm not saying they have to do all of these each day but some through out the week is good.

[bbmama1988]

i have a 4 year old and I'm trying to determine what is appropriate for "chores" for him.
he does clean up his room/toys and he will assist with putting laundry away and cleaning off the tables.
I know that he is still young, but I think it's ok for him to help out a little as well, as long as he can do the tasks safely, etc.

[size=14pt][/size]

I am so glad to see someone post something about this particular topic. I too have a 4 year old son. He is a happier person when given chorus to do thru out the day.
I believe that this is a strong tool for being your child's self esteem. He gets to show off his big boy skills and help out around the house.
If you make it fun then it turns into a mother-son moment. Turn on some music and have dance around and have fun.
You get a little help with the house work to free up me-time later and the house gets cleaned quicker.
You build a good relationship with you child and he has good memories to remember for a life time.
You teach them that a little hard work can make a big difference. Either in his personal life or  his adult life.
I grew up alone and I know what I missed out on. I learned life qualities alone. Hence, the bi polar. lol

[squirrelgirl44]

My daughter can do laundry about... 85%. She doesn't add the detergent and she really can't hang stuff herself because she is too short, but the rest she does. She is now 6 and has been helping with that for a few years. She does clean her room (most of the time). As far as other chores, she likes to dust and sweep/mop. Two things I REALLY dislike.