How To Involve Children in Housework: A Task For Every Age.

How and when can children help with housework? We often hear other mothers complain for children behavior, that the house has always been a mess ever since babies were born and that they never have time to do the chores to keep it as clean and tidy as they would like.

Assuming that we prefer a little mess in the house but have a child happy that his mother spends a lot of time playing together rather than the always shiny floors, the washing machines hung and ironed and the kitchen shining every day… why not make the “Housework” a real game?

doing laundry

The little ones continually imitate the daily gestures of us adults, and this is precisely the lever that we must use to save time in chores, involve them while having fun and teach them to be useful and competent, thus acquiring ever greater self-confidence.

The first approach to have is with ourselves, even if it may seem obvious, it is important to be aware that the final result will NEVER be as if we had done it alone and above all we must arm ourselves with patience precisely because it will take longer than necessary to bring it. in the end, but in the end we will reap what we have sown!

We have to explain to our little ones how things are done and give them time to understand and get used to, most likely even making mistakes, but patience. Let’s remember to gratify them for having done their job and thank them for the help they have given! If you have a child who loves music and dancing, play happy songs in the background that make them want to dance and have fun… it works and not just for children!

The other thing to evaluate is the age of the child who takes part in the “game” precisely because different jobs and responsibilities must be attributed to each age.

chores for kids

His tasks at every age

Let’s see together which are the most suitable and recommended, also from the Montessori method, from children of 2 years up to now adolescents of 12. Considering that in any case the stages vary from child to child, we can roughly say that:

  • Between 2 and 5 years, which are the years where they develop more and more concentration on an action that lasts longer over time, we can entrust them with the simplest chores such as tidying up toys, putting dirty clothes in the basket and throwing out the garbage. then move on to prepare the snack yourself, set the table and put the dishes in the sink once lunch is finished, feed the pet, put the shoes on the shelf.
  • helping chores

  • Between 6 and 9 years old they can already start collaborating in the kitchen by preparing simple dishes such as salads and fruit salads, dusting the furniture, vacuuming and loading the dishwasher.
  • Between the ages of 10 and 12 they’ll be able to help wash floors, make the bed, walk the dog, go shopping alone on a list and fold clothes!

These small chores serve mainly to empower them and to gradually accustom them to carry out tasks not only for themselves, but for the whole family.

In this way they will learn the importance of helping others and will relate more kindly and respectfully to others, giving great value to small gestures.