How to Decide on Age-Appropriate Chores for Your Child

Giving your child chores is about more than just a cleaner house and neater yard -- it's a way to teach him responsibility and teamwork. Of course, if the chores you assign your child are way out of his league, he may end up feeling discouraged instead of empowered. By choosing age-appropriate chores for your child, you ensure he stays motivated -- and you get a little help around the house.

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a list of all of the chores in your home. From emptying the garbage cans to mowing the lawn, folding laundry to emptying out the dishwasher, seeing your chores in list form should make it easy for you to rule out the ones that are too complicated for younger kids and too simple for older kids. You can also assign chores to yourself and your spouse to further narrow the field.

    • 2

      List your child's current responsibilities and obligations. Oprah.com's Rabbi Shmuley recommends planning 30 minutes of chores per day but notes that if the child already has plenty of homework and other responsibilities, you may need to lower the number of chores for which he's responsible. You can also break chores up into more manageable time limits, such as 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes after school.

    • 3

      Ask your child to choose a couple of chores he would enjoy doing. While unloading the dishwasher may not be "fun," a quiet child might prefer a solitary task to a high-energy task like raking leaves, notes the Center for Parenting Education. If you allow your child to choose, she may be more likely to choose a chore that is right for her age and personality and more likely to pitch in.

    • 4

      Offer to help your child as he tackles the assigned chore for the first time. This gives you the chance to demonstrate the level of cleanliness you expect while observing your child to make sure the chore you've chosen is age appropriate. If he struggles and can't finish the chore in approximately 30 minutes, you may need to choose something else.

    • 5

      Give clear expectations for older kids and clear commands for younger children. Younger kids may need specific directives, such as "Pick up these puzzle pieces" or "Put your books on the shelf." Older kids may do better with specific standards, such as "The dishwasher should be completely empty when you're done" or "I want your room clean enough so I can vacuum."

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