Introducing chores to your children can be a great way to build responsibility, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Children are naturally curious and love to be just like the grown-ups and big kids around them. This eagerness to help and the introduction of chores, especially when started early, can build life skills, and help your child learn to be more independent. 

Why Chores Are Important

• Chores help with skill-building, and the best chores are related to things your child will need to know in the future, such as how to make their bed, assist with laundry, or set the table for meals. Very young children can pitch in with household tasks by learning how to put away their toys.
• Pitching in with household tasks teaches children empathy and responsibility. It also helps them learn how to work together, solve problems, and compromise, which can help them both in the home and in the classroom at school.
• As children want more control over their choices, giving them chores to do can help encourage this independence and show them that daily chores and responsibilities help the rest of the family. 

Tips for Helping Your Child Complete Chores

• Make chores a part of your daily routine! Kids thrive when they have structure in their lives. For example, make it a habit for your child to make their bed and pack their backpack for school each day, or to put dirty clothes in the laundry basket each night before bed. Encourage them to do their chores at the same time each day.
• Let your child have some choice about the chores they want to do. For example, ask them if they want to help set the table or help clean up after dinner. Choices can help your child feel more invested in their chores.
• Tackle chores with your child and talk while you work together. Make it fun by putting on music while cleaning! You can also show your appreciation by thanking them and emphasizing how proud you are of them for being such big helpers! 

Rewards and Consequences

• Giving children some sort of motivation for completing chores is often needed to get the job done. Rewards can be given in the form of earned activities or an allowance that they can earn each time a job is completed. Chore charts, visual reminders, or family meetings can help children be more successful and feel a sense of accomplishment.
• Honest praise from a parent can be the most effective way of motivating your child to do chores! Congratulate them for their effort to complete a regular task or initiating a chore on their own without a reminder.
• Kids will inevitably resist doing chores, and when they do, they can begin to understand accountability and how their decisions affect them and others. For instance, when my child can’t find a certain toy, I remind him that it may be because he didn’t clean them up properly the last time he played with them. However, you can remain positive and predict success for next time- for example, you can say “Let’s try putting your toys away in their places after you’re done playing today- I know you can do it!” 

Remember to celebrate the little wins and praise your child’s efforts, not just the outcome. A simple “Thank you for helping!” or “You did that all by yourself!” goes a long way. Another thing to keep in mind is that chores aren’t just tasks to be completed- each job is an opportunity for growth and building confidence. The lessons children learn from completing chores early, and incorporating them into daily routines, can stick with them for life- both inside and outside the home. For more resources that are helpful for you and your family, please visit https://www.elcpalmbeach.org/family-resources.