Chores for Kids - Tips to Help You Get Started
When you first assign chores for kids, it will certainly be more work for you parents than if you were completing the tasks
yourself. Having a 2 or 3 year old helping out with the laundry definitely has a tendency to slow you down!
When our sons first started wanting to help out around the house, they wanted to help with everything! I remember having to
hide my frustration to be moving more quickly. Instructing children on completing tasks certainly does take up more of your time. But the
payoff is huge!
Now, we have young sons who are able to do an entire load of laundry, weed a garden, vacuum, dust and a myriad of other tasks with
minimal supervision - and I'm able to get twice as much done with their help.
If your children are a little bit older and you're just getting around to assigning chores to them, they will probably put up some resistance
to the whole process. But do not get discouraged. It's never too late to
teach your children to
appreciate contributing to to the good of the family.
Here are some tips for getting started with assigning chores for kids:
- Break it down - When teaching chores, parents should
break each one down
into small parts. For example, instead of telling a child to clean his bedroom and leaving it at that, parents should list all of
the things that make up the chore of cleaning the bedroom, for example, changing the sheets, picking up toys and putting them away,
dusting the dresser, and vacuuming. Parents should then show their children how to do each part of the chore correctly.
- Don't do it yourself -Parents should not do their children's work for them. If parents get frustrated and give in and
do their children's chores, children learn a number of things. First of all, children learn that their parents don't mean what they
say and will not follow through. Secondly, children learn that if they hold out long enough someone will do their chores for them.
Parents should simply apply consequences until their children comply.
- Don’t redo the chore -Re-doing a job is the quickest way to lose help. Just keep in
mind that you need to explain the job more clearly next time, or maybe he’s not ready yet. If you absolutely can’t stand it, use
it as a teaching opportunity to show your child how you would like the job done or take care of it when you are certain the child won’t
catch you.
- Don’t hover - When the cat’s tail is getting caught in the vacuum—jump in. However,
try to allow your child the chance to do it on his own.
- Don't nag - When your youngster does not complete his chores and other responsibilities,
it may be necessary to discipline him. For example, you might decide to revoke certain privileges or special activities that mean a lot to
him. Although some parents may feel that badgering or scolding a child to the point of starting an argument will get his to accept more
responsibility, this approach is rarely effective. Rewarding successes and providing encouragement is always much more effective. Consider
providing a responsibility
chart to help your child track their own progress.
- Explain Why - Children need to know why pitching in and helping is important. Parents should explain that doing chores
benefits the whole family, and that every person must do his or her part to keep things going smoothly.
- Give choices -Children complain about jobs that are assigned. Involve your child in
picking chores and setting the time when the job must be done. Today we must vacuum, do the laundry, clean out the refrigerator and
wash windows. Where do you want to start? Allowing your child to make choices will encourage responsibility.
- Let them enjoy - Children need to enjoy the sense of accomplishment that goes along
with completing a task. This sense of satisfaction and feeling that they are contributing to the family is going to keep them working
with you as they get older. Research shows feelings of satisfaction and contribution are much greater motivators than pay, praise or
punishment!
- Make it easy - If your child is to set the table, can he reach the dishes? Are the
dishes breakable? Be sure the child can do the job with ease, according to size and developmental stage.
- Make it Age Appropriate - The level of expected chores should be appropriate to the
child's skill and ability. But even for very young children, helping around the house allows a child to feel like a vital part of the
family.
- Make the job important -Children feel rewarded by work that is seen as “needed.” Let
your child know how much his effort has helped the family. Even little tasks help out.
- Provide logical consequences - Logical consequences occur naturally as a result of children's actions. For example, if a
child repeatedly forgets to put his bike away at the end of the day, a logical consequence would be not being allowed to use the bicycle
for a few days. On the other hand, a logical consequence for a child who repeatedly works hard and completes his chores would be to be
given special play time. Parents and children should decide upon consequences in advance. Parents should always follow through on
applying consequences, whether they are positive or negative.
- Show appreciation - No one likes to be taken for granted. No matter how rewarding the
sense of accomplishment may be—it is good to hear “thank you.” Adding a specific comment like “you really folded the towels neatly” may
mean more than just “good job.”
- Show them how - Children need to know exactly what's expected of them. Therefore, it is a good idea for parents to make
sure their children know exactly what their duties are. Parents should thoroughly go over the duties required, and should actually show
their children how to do the chore at hand. It might also be a good idea to write down and post all duties that make up a single chore
for children's reference. At first, parents should monitor their children to make sure things are going well. Parents can reduce
monitoring once children know how to do the chore.
- Start early - Parents should start giving their children household responsibilities when they are young. Most toddlers
love to help their parents. Parents should take advantage of this desire and give their children small and simple tasks. As children
get older, they should then be given more challenging tasks.
- Stick to a Routine - Your child may be greatly helped in remembering to do chores
if your family life has structure and routines. Encourage
him to do his chores at the same time each day. Routines of other activities - including meals, homework, play and bedtime - also can
teach organization and help him develop responsibility. Make a chore chart to help your child remember what they need to complete
during that day.
- Switch chores - Try switching tasks or
coming up with ideas to keep the interest and enthusiasm. It’s hard to get excited about something you’ve done a thousand times!
- Teach one chore -It is probably a good idea for parents to thoroughly teach their children how to do one chore, and then to
make sure that they are consistently doing it correctly before moving on to other chores. Young children can become confused when
they are required to learn too much at one time.
- Work side by side - At different ages, children need different levels of help and
support while doing their chores. Parents should work side-by-side with young children, washing the dishes as the child clears plates
from the dinner table, for example. The more you do with them when they're young, the more they can do by themselves later.
If handled correctly, chores for kids should really help your household to run more smoothly. In time, it will also
help your children to learn responsibility and will prepare them to successfully take care of themselves once they are living on their
own. Give it a try and watch your workload begin to lighten!
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