The complexity of these chores naturally varies per age.
The chores a 3-year-old typically has are tiny fixes like putting toys away.
Many toddlers love seeing a visual reminder of their success, so making sticker charts is a great choice.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Preschoolers also love individual time with adults.
If you take some time to teach them new chores one-on-one, they usually love it.
Many kids at this age are ready to do chores without constant supervision.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
They also love rewards.
Try using a daily chore chart with stickers that allow them to build up to bigger rewards.
For some preschoolers, tying chores to an allowance is a great choice.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
This incentive can also foster independence by allowing them to choose a reward.
Most school-aged children have an overwhelming desire to be independent.
Note completed tasks, as this will help motivate children to continue working.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
Ages 9 to 12
Kids at this age will appreciate a set schedule and expectations.
Throw a lot of unexpected work at them and watch them get upset.
It’s best to find a system that works for your family.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Try not to change it without the input and support of the people it directly affects.
One thing to be sensitive to is their cramped schedules.
Monitor your teen’s schedule and school commitments; adjust activities and chores accordingly.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
Likewise, some children may be ready for more difficult tasks at a younger age.
You are best positioned to supervise and evaluate your child’s needs and abilities.
you might advance children through more challenging chores as they master the basic ones.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Institute a “training period” with new chores while teaching them the ins and outs of new tasks.
At that point, kids love to help out parents and family members.
Your handwriting may be messy, or the instructions may be confusing, causing a kid to zone out.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
Use easy-to-read picture chore cards.
Do Not Change Schedules Too Often
Kids thrive on consistency.
They need to know what to expect from their daily lives.
The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu
A consistent schedule of chores can help your child become an expert in handling that particular duty.
If you insist on perfectionism, your child will rebel against doing chores.
It shows how much you appreciate your child’s efforts.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Start giving them small chores when they’re toddlers.
Have them help put away their toys and pick up clothes.
Kids between the ages of two and three love helping their parents and siblings.
Using stickers and chore charts visually shows your kids what they’ve accomplished.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
White EM, DeBoer MD, Scharf RJ.Associations Between Household Chores and Childhood Self-Competency.J Dev Behav Pediatr., no.
3, 2019, pp.
176-182. doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000637
14th Annual Parents, Kids, & Money Survey.