Tasks for Kids of All Ages

In today's changing society, children are challenged to become "working partners" with their parents and teachers.  As a child learns the benefits of order resulting from cooperation, he begins to view himself as a person who is capable of making a contribution to the household and to others.  This can help boost his self-worth, not to mention help mom and dad.  

Sometimes parents don't know what responsibilities are appropriate for their child.  This list, developed by teachers and parents, is intended to help meet this need.  Before assigning duties, it is helpful to keep some principles in mind:

1.  Consult with children about the jobs that need to be done.  After they have helped identify their work, they then can set the standards for the work and be involved in the evaluation of the completed job.

2.  Allow children choices about the jobs that need to be done.  

3.  Beforehand, discuss what will happen if someone does not complete their job.

4.  Place appropriate time limits on when a task should be completed.

5.  Vary the tasks that each child does.  Children become easily bored with the same thing.

6.  Examine your own standards.  If you are a perfectionist, learn to accept the house as the responsibility of everyone, not a reflection of your own personal standards.

*Responsibilities for 2-3 Year Olds:

1.  Pick up toys and put back in their place

2.  Put books and magazines in a rack

3.  Help sweep the floor

4.  Help set the table (the silverware may not be placed correctly)

5.  Clean up what they drop after eating

6.  Give a choice of two foods at mealtime -- learning simple decisions

7.  Clear own place at the table  -- put dishes on the counter after clearing the leftovers off the plate

8.  Toilet training

9.  Simple hygiene: brushing teeth, wash hands and face, brush hair

10.  Undress self, dress self with help

11.  Wipe up accidents and spills

12.  Help put groceries that go on lower shelves away after shopping

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*Responsibilities for 4 Year Olds:

1.  Set the table 

2.  Help put groceries away

3.  Help with grocery shopping and compiling list

4.  Follow schedule for feeding pets

5.  Help do yard and garden work

6.  Help make the beds

7.  Help do the dishes and load dishwasher

8.  Help the child learn responsibilities by making a goal chart -- if the work is all done at the end of the week, the child earns a reward

9.  Dust the furniture

10.  Spread butter on sandwiches

11.  Prepare cold cereal

12.  Make a simple dessert (add topping to cupcakes, Jell-o, etc.)

13.  Hold the mixer when making a cake or mashing potatoes

14.  Share toys with friends

15.  Get the mail

*Responsibilities for 5 Year Olds:

1.  Help with meal planning and grocery shopping

2.  Make own sandwich or simple breakfast, then clean up

3.  Pour own drink

4.  Set the dinner table

5.  Tear up lettuce for salad

6.  Putting in certain ingredients to a recipe

7.  Pulling up and smoothing bed cover 

8.  Picking up clothes

9.  Scouring the sink, toilet, and bathtub

10.  Cleaning mirrors and windows

11.  Separate clothing for washing

12.  Fold clean clothes and put away

13.  Answer the telephone and begin to dial the phone

14.  Yard work

15.  Pay for small purchases

16.  Help clean out the car

17.  Take out the garbage

18.  Decide how he/she wants to spend his share of the family entertainment fund

19.  Feeding pets and cleaning up after them

20.  Learn to tie shoes

*Responsibilities for 6 Year Olds:

1.  Choose own clothing for the day according to the weather or special event

2.  Shake out rugs

3.  Water plants and flowers

4.  Peel vegetables

5.  Cook simple food (hot dogs, boiled eggs, toast)

6.  Prepare own school lunch

7.  Help hang clothes on clothes line

8.  Gather wood for the fireplace

9.  Take pet for a walk

10.  Rake leaves

11.  Tie shoes

12.  Clean out the inside of the car

13.  Straighten or clean silverware drawer

*Responsibilities for 7 Year Olds:

1.  Take phone messages and write them down

2.  Run simple errands for parents

3.  Water the lawn and flowers

4.  Wash dog 

5.  Train pets

6.  Carry in the groceries and help put away

7.  Get self up in the morning and to bed at night on own

8.  Responsibility for carrying own lunch money and bringing notes back to school

9.  Leave the bathroom in order -- hang up towels

10.  Do simple ironing -- flat pieces

11.  Scrub floors

*Responsibilities for 8-9 Year Olds:

1.  Fold napkins properly and set silverware properly

2.  Mop the floor

3.  Clean mini-blinds

4.  Run own bathwater

5.  Help others with their work when asked

6.  Straighten own closet and drawers

7.  Shop for and select own clothes with parents' help

8.  Change school clothes without being told

9.  Fold blankets

10.  Babysit for short periods of time

11.  Cut flowers and make a centerpiece

12.  Build a campfire with parental supervision

13.  Paint a fence or shelves

14.  Write a simple letter or thank-you

15.  Help feed or bathe younger siblings

16.  Polish furniture

*Responsibilities for 9-10 Year Olds:

1.  Change sheets on the bed and put dirty sheets in the hamper

2.  Operate the washer and dryer

3.  Measure detergent

4.  Buy groceries using a list

5.  Cross streets unassisted

6.  Keep own appointments (dentist, school, lessons, etc. and making them within bike distance)

7.  Preparing convenience foods from a box

8.  Prepare a family meal

9.  Pouring tea and coffee -- waiting on guests

10.  Planning own birthday and other parties

11.  Simple first aid

12.  Do chores without reminder

13.  Learning to save money by opening a savings account

14.  Wash the car

*Responsibilities for 10-11 Year Olds:

1.  Earn own money from yardwork and babysitting

2.  Be alone at home

3.  Handle sums of money up to $10.00

4.  Stay overnight with a friend

5.  Able to handle self properly when in public places alone or with friends

6.  Responsible for a personal hobby

*Responsibilities for 12+ Year Olds:

1.  Joining outside organizations and clubs

2.  Put siblings to bed and dress them

3.  Help with errands

4.  Respect others' property

5.  Mow lawn

6.  Help parent build and repair things

7.  Clean oven and stove

8.  Able to schedule appointments

9.  Buy own sweets and treats

10.  Responsible for part-time jobs (paper route, etc.)

*Note:  These are suggestions for involving children in family life.  No one child should be expected to assume all these duties.