One of the greatest things about toddlers and preschoolers is their willingness to help out around the house. To them, folding the wash cloths for mommy, or pushing a broom around the kitchen is a game, it’s fun. (Don’t we wish mommy felt like that about housework?)
Stinkbug ready to do laundry with Mommy
Before our kids get too old to enjoy helping out around the house, we need to ask them to help, and build in them the habit of helping around the house. It’s important to remember that our two, three, and four-year olds will not be able to do tasks like we would do them (groceries won’t be categorized alphabetically when your toddler puts them away!), but that is OK!
Choose some things you can start asking your young kids to do to help you, model for them what you want them to do, and be sure to praise them for a job well done!
Here are some ideas of things toddlers and preschoolers can easily do to help mom and dad:
- Put groceries away in the pantry.
- Put dirty clothes in the hamper.
- Feed pets.
- Pick up toys, puzzles, games, and books and put them in a designated place.
- Put sorted clothes into the washing machine. (This seems boring to me, but Stinkbug loves to be the one to push the clothes I give him into the washer!)
- Dust at their level (shelves, coffee table, end tables, etc)
- Fold wash cloths, dish towels, and hand towels.
- Put their clean clothes away in drawers.
- Wipe mirrors, windows, and glass doors.
- Sweep the porch or balcony.
- Water plants.
- Empty the silverware compartment from the dishwasher.
- Set the table.
- Clear the table after a meal.
Ladybug "sweeping"
What do you ask your young children to do around the house?
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November 9, 2010 at 9:55 am
You are absolutely right! My 21 month old loves helping. Last night he helped me with the laundry and every night he helps to feed the dog. I keep hoping he will always want to help like this.
Love the pics!
November 9, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Hopefully by allowing them to help early, we are instilling a habit in them to ALWAYS help! 😉
November 9, 2010 at 11:10 am
we’re working on putting dirty and clean clothes in the right places and cleaning up toys every day (of course the toys don’t always end up where i want them, but as long as it’s in the closet i can close the door and hide it… right?)
and what is that fabulous machine in your first picture???
November 9, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Haha, yea that was the last time we got soft fluffy clothes!
November 9, 2010 at 12:41 pm
In addition to picking up his toys, my two year old has a couple of “chores” right now. He throws his diapers in the trash when we’re done changing him, he puts his dishes (usually plastic) in the sink, and after each meal he takes our cloth napkins to the dirty clothes basket (and any other time I ask him to toss something in there). We plan to add to this list a little at a time, but it’s so cute how much he enjoys helping!
November 10, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I love the idea of regular chores, but have been so bad about keeping up with a chore chart! Do you have a chart of some kind, or do you use incentives for him like stickers? I’d love your ideas!
November 12, 2010 at 4:08 pm
we don’t use any kind of chart or stickers at this point, but we might when he’s a bit older.
November 9, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Kate (18 mo) LOVES loading the washer. She “washes” her hands in the running water first and then starts chucking the clothes in. When I switch them into the dryer, sometimes they fall on the floor (intentionally or not!) and she loves to grab them and toss them into the dryer. Throwing things away is the best game in the world to her… Just have to monitor what gets thrown away!
November 10, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I guess there’s something magical about getting to THROW things in the washer! Stinkbug loves it too!