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Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids Including Taking Care of Technology Gadgets

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plant-1.jpgSometimes it’s hard to figure out what to expect out of your children when it comes to chores.

At times you may wonder what is age appropriate.

When I was completing my teacher certification, one of my internships was at a preschool.

I was quickly amazed at how much children could do at

such a young age.

How I Divvy Out Age-Appropriate Chores for My Kids Including Taking Care of Technology Gadgets

Whenever children painted, played with blocks, or dressed up, they were always expected to clean up afterwards and put everything back where they found it. They were trained to do so as part of their routine.

I believe people can do the same at home with their own children  from an early age. I tell you what I do with my own kids, then list some age-appropriate chores for young children. Then I list a bunch of chores for older children. More on that later.

I expected my kids to put their items back in a bin when they were finished playing. They didn’t always like it but I reinforced it and over time it caught on.

Now that my children are older, I make them help out with harder chores. Outside of  staying on top of their rooms, I write a list of things I need done.

I let them choose what they want to do. I try to include a wide range of choices such as dusting, bringing recyclables to the garage, sorting receipts (my sixth grader does this), taking the couch cushion covers off so I can wash them, folding blankets, folding laundry, putting dishes away and more. Some are more involved than others. I put a variety so I know they are still age-appropriate for my younger daughter. She’s in third grade.

She has always liked plants. She had a little watering can when she was younger and still enjoys taking care of plants now. We were having company over and the leaves on this plant were so brown, it was a bit of an eyesore.

Her job was to cut off all of the brown leaves before we had guests. It actually took awhile but she did a great job. Since the plant is such a focal point in this space, her work made such a big impact on the room. It looked as if I got a new plant.

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Chores are so important for children to learn. It helps them understand that they have to take care of things especially if they want to have the item for a long time. It also helps them to stay organized. They are able to find what they are looking for because they put it back.

They are learning how to be responsible by having chores. They are also learning how to make money and save for something they want to buy. I have my children make invoices. I tell them if they want to get paid, they have to write down what they did and how much they will get for the chore and put it somewhere we can all find it on pay day. I put that responsibility on them.

You can have young children kill two birds with one stone, if they have to sort items they have to put back, that is a skill they need to do in preschool. So if all of the dolls, action figures, or play money go in one bin, basket, or container when they are put away, you are teaching them how to clean up and sort all at the same time.
Here’s how one girl does chores in her home.

Here’s a list of some age-appropriate chores. I would often make up tasks for my kids to do in the moment. I’m kicking myself for not writing this sooner.

Preschool Age and Older:

Carry light groceries

Make bed

Pick up toys

Bring folded laundry to room

Set and clear table (not knives)

Put away spoons from the dishwasher(with a parent overseeing)

Clean up messes and crumbs after eating

Wipe down the table

Fours, Fives, and Older

Feed a pet

Dust

Prepare food (scoop out yogurt, pour cereal, put snacks on plate, etc.)

Sweep floor

Sweep stairs

Carry items out of a room while decluttering

I categorized the remaining ideas.

Here are chores for OLDER children. They may still need adult supervision with many of these.

You just have to know what your child can handle. Exercise good judgement.

 

Technology:

Wipe down electronics

Organize electronics

Put all cords and chargers in plastic bags and zip shut, then put in container or basket

Dust computer

Dust printer

Dust computer desk

Organize gadgets

Put all video games back where they go

Wipe down video game controls

Put all video games equipment in one spot (basket, container, etc.)

Wipe down T.V. remotes

Charge all phones, ipods, and other electronics (older children only with adult supervision)

Update or transfer contacts on cell phone

Make a playlist on an ipod for parent

Sanitize all phones

 

Bedrooms

Make sure nothing is on floor

Take sheets off bed

Put new sheets on bed

Dust ceiling fan

Dust blinds

Empty pails

Declutter

Get rid of unwanted toys an other items

Get rid of unwanted clothing

Get rid clothing that doesn’t fit

Empty pail

Vacuum

Discard old artwork

Make rags out of beat up clothing (not nice enough to donate)

 

Organize:

Put important dates on the calendar from school flyers

Sort recyclables

Bring recycling bin outside

Return recyclables to stores

Bring garbage out

Get mail from the mailbox

Sort mail

Open mail

Make a pile of unwanted toys

Make a pile of clothes that don’t fit anymore

 

Laundry:

Carry folded clothes to room

Sort clothes before washing

Fold clothes

Wash clothes

Carry basket to washer

Take clothes out of dryer

Carry basket up from dryer

Remove lint from clothing

Remover lint from dryer

Match clean socks

 

Living Room:

Put magazines away

Put remotes away

Dust television

Dust blinds

Vacuum couch

Vacuum floors

Dust

 

Bathroom:

Empty pails

Restock soap

Make a list of needed items (shampoo, razors, conditioner, tooth paste, toilet paper, tissues, etc.)

Wipe sink

Stock toilet paper rolls

Replace hand towel

Refill soap dispenser

Write a list of items to buy at store (toothpaste, dental floss, toilet paper, etc.)

Clean brushes

Replace toothbrushes

Write expiration dates on medicine bottles with marker

 

Food-Related:
Have children set the table. You can even teach them etiquette with a Youtube video. Here they will learn a formal way to set a table. Of course, you may not eat like this every day but it is still cool to learn this.

Clean out the fridge

Carry groceries

Take groceries out of bags and leave on table.

Put bags away or recycle

Make a grocery list

Find needed items at the grocery store

Meal plan

Get rid of expired coupons

Organize coupons

Cut coupons

Recycle flyers

(Young children can do this while they are in the aisle with you. Older kids can venture off to other parts of the store to cut your shopping time.)

 

Kitchen:

Empty dishwasher (may want to exclude handling sharp items)

Load dishwasher

Wipe counters down

Check off items that were eaten

Change coffee filter (may need adult supervision)

Wipe down stove

Pick out ingredients for recipe

Pick out needed utensils to cook recipe

Replace baking soda in fridge

Ditch empty condiment containers

Ditch expired food

Wipe refrigerator shelves

Sweep

Mop floor

Clean sink

Check expiration dates on spices

Pick out snacks for next days lunch

 

Outdoors:

Clean outdoor furniture

Shake out welcome mats

Sweep porch

Pick up litter with gloves

Pull weeds

Rake leaves

Hand tools to parent

Pick up small branches that have fallen from trees

Plant flowers

Water flowers

Trim bushes

 

Car:

Show a tweens and  teens a tutorial for washing a car. This video tells you what to purchase, how to thoroughly wash, and detail a car. There are many tips that I never heard of before. Washing your car at home can save you money too.

Get cleaning supplies (paper towels, garbage bags, vacuum, etc.)

Put away personal belongings from car

Clean out trash

Pull out floor mats

Vacuum the car

vacuum mats

wash car

vacuum car

Pets:

Feed pets

Take pet for walk

If you like this list of chores, please share it.

Also, what types of chores do you make your kids do?

“I like your blog. I especially like this latest one on how you use your receipt on your fridge. Brilliant!”Sylvia Martinez

SMartinez Media, former Editor-in-Chief at Latina Magazine