Helpful Chores for Toddlers

Helpful Chores for Toddlers: Tiny Hands, Big Help

As parents, at some point, we stop doing everything for them and start encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions. It can be difficult to make this transition when your child is unwilling to even do the most basic tasks, like putting away their pajamas and fetching a banana out of the fruit bowl.

You have to start somewhere, so here are six easy and fun tasks that your toddler can try. It will not only help mum or dad but it will also instill a sense of responsibility in your toddler and teach them that everyone in the family has a role to play.

1. Keep It at Their Level

You can find tasks that are just right for your toddler, like cleaning dusty skirting board, which is too low for an adult, but perfect for a young child. You don’t even need to use any chemicals or cleaning products. Give your child a damp duster or cloth and tell them to wipe down the skirting boards in the entire house.

2. Stow It Away

Most toddlers find it boring to clean up their bedroom. The easier the task is, the more likely you are to complete it. They’re easy to fill and make great storage. Toys can be thrown into a box, tub, or container by your child, making it more appealing than tidying up their bedroom.

It can be turned into a game by timing their effort in hopes that they will want to try and beat their previous record.

3. Cleaning Up

Even toddlers can help mop the floor. You just need a bit of patience, particularly if you are in a rush to get the job done.

At age three, my daughter was eager to mop the floor. I had to slow down and let her have a go. She was so eager to try it that I thought the least I could have done was throw out my schedule. It paid off because now we do the job together and it is done faster thanks to her.

4. Place Everything In Its Proper Place

Your child will likely know what items are his, even if he doesn’t know where everything belongs. Ask him to walk through the house, and see if you can identify and collect everything that belongs to him. Then ask him where he wants it placed. Shoes in the hallway, pajamas by the heater in the living room, pens on the table in the kitchen, and a backpack at the door.

It may be easier to have one large pile in the bedroom than many smaller ones, but the clutter is contained and the rest of your house will remain clean. The next Challenge is to teach him how to organize everything. This can take many years. You’re on the right track…

5. Laundry Day

A heap of laundry in the living room can be exciting for a toddler. Here’s your opportunity to get them involved. Ask your toddler to sort the clothes into piles according to each member of the family. Ask your child to sort the socks into pairs by laying them out in a line.

My daughters both loved to ‘fold’ their clothes. I took advantage of this every time we did the laundry and had them fold each item. They aren’t always tidy anymore but are great at packing suitcases when we travel.

6. Unpacking Groceries

Ask your child for all of the food from the bags. If your pantry has a suitable height, you can help them stack the items. Make it a game. You can go shopping or to restaurants. It might take longer, but the result will be well worth it.

Why Is It Important For Children To Do Chores?

Does your toddler need to help out around the house? Yes, absolutely. It’s not about doing chores on your own to get a reward, but more about helping out with household chores.

Research suggests that toddlers are willing to help even before the age of two. This may be due to their desire for praise (“What an amazing helper you are!”). You did a great job!.

Children learn responsibility by helping to run the household. But chores can also teach children:

• Teach children practical skills like cleaning, sorting the laundry, or feeding pets.
• Teach children independence by having them do things on their own — dust, clean up spills, or put on a t-shirt.
• When they dust the window sills or drop toys in the containers, you can work on their gross and fine motor skills.
• Make them feel like a valued member of the family who has something to offer
• Self-esteem is boosted when children can accomplish something by themselves.

Age-appropriate Chores To Do with Kids as Young as 2 Years.

When they are 2 years old, toddlers can do the following chores safely and easily:

• Toys should be put away. To begin, let your child place a few small toys in the containers. Then build on that.
• Take his dishes to the dishwasher or sink. Be sure to use plastic dishes so that if your child drops the dish, it won’t be a big deal.
• Place some groceries away (for example, put the oranges and apples in the refrigerator drawer).
• Remove shoes
• Put dirty clothes in the hamper

Age-appropriate Chores to Do with Kids Aged 3 and Up

You can use the same principles to teach your 3-year-old as you did for your toddler. Break down the task and explain what they need to do. Keep chores basic and simple. If you don’t, toddlers and young children will become frustrated and give up. Keep reminding them.

These chores for 3-year-olds teach them responsibility and can be added to the ones that a 2-year-old can do.

• Window sills should be cleaned regularly
• Spills should be cleaned up immediately
• Hang jackets or coats
• Sort clean laundry, such as by putting socks together.
• Bring your diapers, burp cloths, and pacifiers if you need them.
• After grocery shopping, put away or remove canned goods and boxes or bags.
• Dress yourself
• Dry pet food scooped out

Tips for Getting Your Toddler to Do Chores

Toddlers can start helping even before they reach the age of 2. The key word here is “help.” You can’t expect them to be able to do this without your help and demonstration. How to get your preschooler, 2-year-old, or 3-year-old to cooperate?

• Include it in your daily routine. Establish a regular time to clean the toys and put dirty clothes into the laundry basket. You could clean the toys up before dinner.
• Make cleaning toys fun. Play a song or create a playlist. You can also clean up a game (see how many toys you can put away before the music ends). This helps tots become more cooperative.
• Show what you want. Without your help, your toddler will not know how to put toys or socks in the correct container. Mark containers with pictures of toys (a truck to represent toy cars or vehicles) or assign colors to the different types of toys.
• Break the job into smaller tasks. Your child can carry his plate or books to the sink. This makes it easier to manage than having your toddler “clean up toys” or “clear the dining table”.
• Don’t expect too much from your toddler. He can’t do the entire family room by himself. He can assist you by helping to put away the trucks and stuffed animals. You’ll need to keep reminding him to do the things he doesn’t want to remember.
• Make the cleanup a family affair. Involve everyone. Turn up the music.
• Be positive. Concentrate on what your toddler can do and not what they haven’t done. Take pride in your child’s accomplishments.

Can a Toddler’s Chore Chart be Helpful?

Chore Charts are great motivators. Your 2- or 3-year-old can see what you want. They offer positive reinforcement when a task is completed.

Charts of chores should be easy to read. Instead of using letters, use pictures — for example, a toy or container used for cleaning. It doesn’t matter what the chore chart looks like, it can be as simple or complex as you want. Post it on your child’s fridge or somewhere else where they can easily see and use it.

Use colorful markers or stickers to let your child mark off chores as they are completed. After the week, you can reward your toddler with something fun and free. For example, a dance party or ice cream outing. It could also be a small gift. It doesn’t matter. You can use stickers as a reward.

You can never give your child too many simple responsibilities. This is good for the self-esteem of your child. You get to lend a hand that will become more valuable as your child grows older.

Encourage Your Child and Avoid Fights About Chores with these Tips

Your child will probably procrastinate at times or need to be reminded as they take on more responsibility. The majority of kids procrastinate. Encouragement, gentle guidance, and positive praise can help them during these times.

Here are some management techniques to help if your child is avoiding their chores or responsibilities and needs frequent reminders:

• Clearly explain the duties your child is expected to perform. Be sure that your child understands what you expect of him or her daily and weekly. Posting star charts or chores lists in your child’s bedroom or on your refrigerator will help to communicate your expectations. Introduce one task at a given time to a child of school age, especially if they have never taken on responsibility before. A long list may be overwhelming.
• Give honest praise. This is the best way to motivate your child and ensure their success. Praise your child for the work they did. Praise could be given for initiating tasks without being reminded, completing special tasks, or performing an excellent job. Consider tangible rewards such as allowances or stickers for chores completed.
• Structure and routines are important in your family’s life. It will help your child remember their chores if they do them at the same time every day. Routines of other activities–including meals, homework, play, and bedtime–also can teach organization and help them develop responsibility.

• Plan regular meetings with your family to review your child’s development. Ask them for their thoughts on chores and responsibilities. Create or modify “contracts” to describe the tasks that they are expected to perform. The most important thing is to supervise and support your children. It is also important to encourage your child’s responsibility.
• Consider the consequences when your child chooses not to complete chores or other responsibilities. You might decide to remove certain privileges or stop special activities. Rewarding success and encouraging are always more effective ways to encourage children to take on more responsibility. Remind your child that electronic devices, screen time, and other forms of media are privileges.