What age is appropriate for children to start doing housework? What types of housework are done at different ages?

Any parent needs to consult about the age when assigning housework to their children, to help them live independently and be grateful every day.

When it comes to housework, some parents think that it is an adult's job, they think that housework is tiring and children should not work hard.

But in fact, from the age of 2, children should be encouraged to do some housework within their ability. What household chores can children of different ages do? How to encourage children to do housework?

Go do housework

Doing housework may seem difficult and mundane. But for children, the process of doing housework from an early age is a process of learning survival skills and self-development. According to some research results, encouraging children to do housework to the best of their ability can help:

During the process of doing housework, children must learn how to communicate and cooperate to form a team spirit. When children complete chores within their abilities, it can also give them a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Of course, housework such as sweeping, organizing, and cleaning are also basic survival skills.

Studies have found that children who do housework are more confident, more responsible, and better able to solve problems and resolve conflicts than other children; These children can also learn work-life balance earlier; All of these abilities can in fact have great significance for a child's future learning and work.

What household chores can different ages do?

There are many house chores and children of different ages can do them differently, such as the following:

2-3 years old

- Private

1) Collect toys and picture books with adults

2) Clean up the bedroom and bed with an adult

- Family

1) Put a change of clothes in the laundry basket

2) If there are pets at home, add water or food to the pet's water bowl under adult supervision.

3) Support adults to clean the floor together

4-5 years old

- Private

1) Can basically dress independently

2) Can basically fold blankets and make beds independently

- Family

1) Help place dishes and chopsticks under supervision

2) Clean tables under supervision

3) Cooking support

4) Go shopping with an adult and when you get home, put away items that you can move in an appropriate place.

5) Fold socks

6) Answer the phone with your parents' help

7) If you have a pet at home, you must be responsible for the pet's diet

8) Ability to clean floors with a dry mop

6-11 years old

- Private

1) Fold your own blanket every day

2) Brush your own hair

3) Choose the clothes you want to wear

4) Take responsibility for your own personal hygiene

- Family

1) If you keep a pet at home, be responsible for the pet's diet and daily activities

2) Vacuum and mop the floor

3) Fold clothes under supervision

4) Assist in washing dishes and setting tables

5) Put your washed clothes in the closet yourself

6) Put washed dishes and chopsticks in the cupboard

7) Take out the trash

8) Answer the phone under parental supervision

9) Water the plants

10) Clean sinks, bathtubs...

11) Under adult supervision, serve meals, prepare simple meals...

12) Helps dry clothes

12-18 years old

At this age, children can still do housework like when they were young and do it themselves. In addition, parents can also be more proactive in letting their children do specific housework and let them learn certain skills.

Do children need to be paid to do housework?

If children can receive pocket money for doing chores, they may be more motivated. However, some parents believe that housework is the responsibility of their children. Each person is a member of the family and must do their own job well, so they choose not to give their children pocket money for housework. .

If your child is given pocket money to do housework, it's best to communicate clearly in advance, such as what chores should be done and when they should be done. For those who choose not to let their children do housework, some families will give them pocket money when they do housework.

What to do if your child refuses to do housework?

First of all, it is necessary to choose housework that suits the child's abilities and abilities, because if it is too difficult or too simple, it will affect the child's interest. In addition, letting children start doing housework early, for example from age 2, can also help children participate more actively in housework.

Some other tips include:

1) When your child is not yet proficient, do it together

2) Tell your child clearly what to do and then write it down so it's easier to remember

3) Let your child know that doing chores is meaningful

4) When children do well, they need to be actively encouraged and praised

5) You can record the housework your child does every time, when a certain amount is accumulated, you can give your child some small rewards, such as watching a movie together or taking your child Go out to eat at a restaurant your child likes.

When children do housework, it is not a waste of time, nor is it harmful. Letting children do what they can from an early age is part of the growing process. Children's learning and growth come not only from books and school but also from life.