Even though your children are still young, it is not a bad idea to teach them about the ins and outs of the household. This way you also teach them responsibility. You often notice that from a certain age your child always wants to help you with certain tasks and chores in the household. If you notice this, respond to it and help them. It really can’t hurt. A number of examples of suitable tasks per age category are summarized in this article.
From 0 to 4 years
Actually it is more like 2 to 4 years. During the first two years, your child is more concerned with himself and discovering the environment and his motor skills. From the age of 2 or 3, your child will become more interested in the things you do as a parent. At this moment you can seize the opportunity to involve your child in this by demonstrating or explaining things. Do it playfully and your child will naturally have fun with it. An example of tasks they could already learn from:
- Teach your child to be kind to animals, e.g. petting an animal, walking it, feeding it. They cannot yet do this themselves, but you can show them how.
- Let your child water the plants both indoors and outside in the garden or on the balcony. It is most convenient if they do this with a small children’s watering can.
- If you are going to clean, give your child a (dry) dust cloth so that he/she can help out. This way your child will be busy and will be proud that he/she can help you clean.
- If you have a dishwasher, let your child help you unpack and unpack the plates and cups (one by one). It is best to leave out the cutlery at this age.
- While hanging up the laundry, your child can help you by indicating an item of clothing or a clothes peg. You can also show him/her how to fold towels and tea towels.
- The most important thing you can teach your child at this age is to put away his/her toys. Consider putting blocks back in a box or dolls and cuddly toys in a basket or cupboard. You can’t start early enough with this. Cleaning up toys is usually not the most fun job for a child, but if you teach them to do it in a playful way and provide a little help and encouragement, it will automatically become a habit.
From 4 to 8 years
Between the ages of 4 and 8 you can expand the tasks a bit. In the beginning you will have to stay present for safety reasons, but gradually your child’s ability and knowledge will increase and he or she can also take on more responsibility, albeit in a playful way of course.
- Now give your child his or her own regular task, such as feeding a pet or watering the plants. You will often notice that he/she feels very proud of this responsibility and appreciates that you have confidence in their knowledge and abilities.
- Fold the laundry together and hang the laundry together.
- Helping with cooking is now also possible. This not only teaches your child how food is prepared, but it also often has a positive effect on eating food. Children who eat poorly will eat more of the food they have ,prepared themselves,. For example, let them help with cutting vegetables (easily cut ingredients with a slightly blunt paring knife, for example), mixing ingredients in a bowl, adding salt/pepper/spices. They can also help set the table and clear it away.
- Also let your child help you with the dishes. Simply clean the cups and plates with a plastic apron (to prevent splashing) and a washing-up brush (watch out for cutlery).
- Your child is now old enough to take care of putting away his/her toys. First clean up the old toys before you start something new.
From 8 to 12 years
Between the ages of 8 and 12, you can expect your child to be able to do certain chores or tasks alone. This also teaches them responsibility and that they have their share in the household.
- Your child could now go for a walk/walk with the dog alone, provided it is not a large dog. It can now also clean the rabbit or guinea pig’s cage, for example.
- Your child could also do vacuuming and mopping now (from the age of 10), some children actually enjoy vacuuming or mopping, others do not. If you have 2 children, let each one do a task, not both tasks at the same time, this is a bit too much.
- A task that is actually assigned to many children of this age is setting and/or clearing the table and washing or drying the dishes afterwards. For example, 2 or 3 times a week and then let your child choose and alternate.
- For example, teach your child the basics of cooking or baking step by step. For example, think of frying an egg or pancakes or perhaps baking a cake. Making his own sandwich (to eat at home or for school) is also a good idea, so your child can choose what toppings he/she wants.
- Clean up dirty clothes by throwing them in the washing machine or in a laundry basket and not leaving them lying around.
- Your child can now ensure that he cleans his room (weekly). This is also immediately useful because a tidy room also immediately offers a better learning and studying environment.
Tips:
- Keep in mind that postponement leads to adjustment. If your child is going to postpone his/her tasks, do not do them yourself, because then your child will completely lose the motivation to undertake a task. A solution is to give them a reward, for example, but it is better to teach them that as they get older they will also have and will have to bear more responsibility.
- From the age of about 8 you will probably start giving pocket money. Given the above tip, it is useful to say that it does certain tasks to ,earn, this pocket money.
- Don’t be too strict with assigning tasks. For example, pay attention to whether there are certain tasks that your child enjoys or is good at and then give them those tasks. This then gives you more self-confidence. If you give too many tasks or tasks that your child really hates, he/she will no longer feel motivated to do these tasks. Try to keep it light and fun. The above tasks are only a guideline.