How young is too young to help around the house?

August 5, 2021 Karen 22 comments

Mylene Class has posted a video this week of her 18 month old son emptying the dishwasher.

This got me thinking about how young is too young for doing chores?

I encouraged my own children to do things like putting away their toys from about 9 months, when they understood what I was asking of them.

.

Then praised them for trying to make their own bed, by simply pulling up the quilt each morning when they grew a little older.

.

My granddaughter used to like doing the dusting when she was around 12 months, or so.

Toddlers usually like to please their parents, so I don’t see any harm in letting them help around the house and garden; as long as they are supervised, of course.

.

As children get older should they be expected to do chores around the house? here

Do your toddlers help around the house? Please share any expereinces.

As always questions and comments ( which I enjoy reading) are welcome.

Until next time Karen

x

Linked with

22 Comments on “How young is too young to help around the house?

  1. Yes and no.
    I never make them do jobs but both mine (girl more than him) enjoy helping. Things like – putting mats down for meals, girl loves washing up and doing the washing machine, feed the cats and sweeping. Also cleaning the table! Eldest does want to help but not as much though 🤣 Boy is 5 and girl is 2.5years!

  2. I agree. It is never too early to encourage taking a sense of responsibility for ourselves and our possessions. Children who value their own personal space also learn to value that of others. That is the foundation for good citizenship..

  3. I like how you highlighted that littler kids enjoy helping out. As mine got older, of course they lost that fervor. However, they are contributing to the mess of the house, so they contribute to cleaning it too. They do their own laundry, rotate pet responsibilities and all other chores. They began folding and putting away clothes around age three, and washing/drying when they were tall enough and could lift the detergent. My older kids help mow the lawn too, but get paid to do so.

        1. I think there are a few factors that influence this decision. One how old they, what they are like and what they are doing. Of course for young age they can have a cloth and wipe dust away or put socks in the washing basket. When they are older and depending on maturity giving them more independce to do things like wash up and hoover X #kcacols

  4. Not sure I’d let an 18 month old empty the dishwasher if I wanted any dishes to still be intact and not broken to pieces on my ceramic tiled floor! But I try to get my boys to do bits and pieces. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS.

  5. My daughter loved to help around the house when she was around 2 years old. I think it’s about imitating us and learning through play. Now she’s nearly 4 she’s less enthusiastic about it as it’s about tidying up after herself and not about play any more. I think learning the value of housework is important, though I’d never force her to do chores.

    Katrina x
    #KCACOLS

  6. I think it is good to encourage children to help out and we have always encouraged our children to help with putting their toys away from an early age. #mischiefandmemories

  7. My 16 month old ‘helps’ with the dishwasher, although really she’s just interested in emptying the cutlery so she can play with the cutlery basket!! #mischiefandmemories

Leave a Comment