Top Ten Chores for the Preschooler

I have always been a firm believer in putting kids to work before they're even out of diapers. Now, I'm not Cinderella's evil stepmother. I love my kids. I play with them, read to them, and take them out for lots of ice cream. I'm a nice Mommy, really I am. But when observing the animal world, it seems that Mommy animals spend an awful lot of time teaching their young to take care of themselves. It makes sense that this be one of my top jobs, too.

As a former middle school teacher, I noticed that the kids with responsibilities and chores at home tend to have a strong work ethic that carries over into their studies and academic success. Plus, these kids are just plain nice to be around. One of my teaching mentors went as far as to say that we should never do for children that which they are capable of doing themselves.

Now that I am a mom to a toddler and preschooler, I see opportunities for learning or having fun in almost every household chore. Most of the time, "work" is really play for little ones, as they eagerly mimic our actions to be grown-up. The chores may take longer than if you just did them yourself, and the result may not be as good. But the real result will come from the seeds of responsibility and self-esteem you are planting in your children. Here are the top ten chores for the preschoolers in my house.

1. Picking Up Toys
I've involved my kids in picking up toys from the time they were babies. In the beginning, I did most of the work. Baby might just put some blocks in a basket as I give an enthusiastic cheer. Yet, my little ones are there from the beginning to witness that no little elves visit our home each night to magically clean. As children grow, they can do more and more of the job themselves. Make your playroom logical and easy to use. I have lots of baskets, cubbies, toy boxes, and shelves. Visit a daycare center, preschool or Ikea store for easy organizational ideas. By the time my oldest child was four years old, he knew that cleaning the play room was his job, not mine. Even if I help out from time to time, I take direction from him. Some nights we turn clean up into a game. I'm not Mary Poppins, but I can pull off timed races and keep score tossing toys into baskets.

2. Making Beds
If kids are old enough for a big kid bed, they are old enough to make it. Ignore the wrinkles and praise the effort. This should be as much a part of the morning routine as getting dressed and brushing teeth.

3. Setting and Clearing the Table
Even the 18-month old can put plastic plates and napkins on the table. Like the beds, it doesn't have to look perfect. Be proud of the effort and hard work--the kids will be! My boys also developed a keen interest in the dishwasher. As long as there are no breakables or knives, let them load and unload the dishes. Sorting utensils is a great developmental learning activity. One of my sons even had a flair for creating cool structures out of plastic cups!

4. Helping Prepare Meals
Both of my boys scoot chairs up to the counter to help me cook. Involving them is the only way I can get anything done anyway. Kids love to mix, mash, measure, and pour. Older kids start to learn about reading directions and math. My four-year-old makes his own PB & J if he doesn't like dinner, and he's the ultimate smoothie-chef in the house! I am not a very good cook, so I benefit greatly by using children's cookbooks. I'm proud to say that my son and I both made our very first meatloaf together.

5. Sorting Laundry
This chore can be a lot of fun. Be creative about the different ways to sort clothes: by size, color, owner, etc. This is a wonderful learning opportunity. Young children can also put clothes in and out of the dryer and put things away in their room. This sometimes mean I have to live with new, creative organizational systems in the dressers. My older son likes to change things around every so often. When the laundry is done, laundry baskets are fun for playing turtle or giving basket rides. I have every intention of sending my kids off to college able to do their own laundry.

6. Sweeping
I used to joke that someone should make a Swiffer-like device for crawling babies. Still, it wouldn't be as fun as a broom. I don't know why, but my kids love it! It's one job I often re-do when they are not looking, but it's more important that I can reinforce one of our family's mottos: If you make a mess, clean it up.

7. Dusting
I have to admit, this is my most dreaded chore (and one I can't wait to pass off one day!) Yet, I promise you can have fun dusting with your little ones! Put an old sock on your children's hands or give them a fun, colorful feather duster. Turn up the music, dance and sing and dust with your child. Wiggles, anyone?

8. Taking Care of Pets and Plants
Feeding animals teaches compassion. Watering plants is an inherent science lesson. I don't think kids even view these tasks as chores.

9. Water Work
Children love to play in the water. I often strip my kids down to their undies and let them wash all of the plastic dishes as they splash and play. My sons had their very own sponge, just like Mom's. Outside, they can wash their toys, bikes, and picnic tables. One year for Father's Day, my boys assisted their dad and two grandfathers with car washes.

10. Yard Work
There are a lot of jobs kids can do outside, like picking up sticks, watering flowers, and pulling weeds. Take the time to observe nature and slow down the pace. My children have kid-sized shovels and rakes because they can't wait to work side-by-side with the grown-ups.

It will never be so fun and easy to get your kids to do chores. Make it a natural part of their lives now and get those kids to work! You'll be glad you did . . . and so will they.