What's the Best Age for Children to Begin Doing Chores?

At what age are children old enough to begin doing chores? Well, since children mature at different times and ages, the answer usually lies with the child. Most children display an eagerness to "help" Mommy or Daddy at a pretty early age. This desire to help is a clear indication that the child is old enough to understand what helping is.

Yes, your five year old daughter may just think that playing in a sink full of sudsy water is fun. But hey, if you can teach her how to wash the dishes, and she's having fun, then what's wrong with that? Just because she's learning to do a chore doesn't mean that it can't be fun.

The younger the child is, though, the more simple the chore should be. You want the child to feel a sense of accomplishment when he completes the chore. If it is too hard and he cannot do it on his own, he may feel like he failed. So start the child out doing jobs he can complete. You might give your son a rake and designate a certain area for him to clear the leaves from. It doesn't have to be the whole yard, just a portion of it. Be clear what you want him to do. Don't just reach him the rake and walk away. Let him know that you want him to rake the leaves in his section into a pile. It's the same with any chore, make sure your child knows how to do the chore. Sometimes you may have to show them what you want them to do.

Be sure to congratulate and thank your child for a job well done. Children thrive on praise. So don't look for small details to pick on. So what if the child missed a few leaves or your daughter's towel folding isn't perfect. By showering him with praise, he knows that you appreciate that he did the job to the best of his ability. And the job will improve with experience and age.

If your child asks to do a job that you feel is too hard or dangerous for him, don't just brush him off with "You're not old enough." Sit down and explain to him that when he is old enough or big enough you will be glad to show him how to do the chore. Steer him to other chores that are more appropriate for his age. For example, you wouldn't turn a six year old loose on a riding lawn mower, yet you could assign him the task of pulling the weeds out of your flower garden.

Never allow a child to feel a job is gender related. Boys need to learn how to wash dishes, do laundry, and make beds. Girls are perfectly capable of learning to change the oil in their car or cut the grass. Since many families today come with working moms and dads, pitching in to do all the chores is a very welcomed practice.

So once your child displays an interest in helping you, act on it and start teaching him. Never push a child aside to finish a chore simply because it is taking him too long. Keep in mind that he is not only learning how to do the job, he is learning about responsibility, pride in a job well done, and independence. That's what learning how to do things is all about, becoming independent and capable of caring for himself.