I am just wondering if now is the time for me to be introducing chores for my kids to do. My older kids are 5 and nearly 4. I get them to tidy their rooms and to tidy toys they leave lying around in the lounge room, but that is about the extent of what they are expected do (and I don't make them do it every day!). They do like to help me to hang washing and I give them a little pile of small things (like socks, singlets, undies...) to put onto the clothes horse while I do the bigger stuff, but this is not a chore they HAVE to do, they just like to help.
I am wondering if you have given your children chores at this age? Maybe I should start giving them a propper chore list and some pocket money to put into their piggy banks? Or are they too young to be expected to do things around the house?
Mine are the same age hun and I am about to create some charts for them. I don't think they are too young to contribute to the family. They need to learn and see that is normal for them to have to pitch in and share even if it is simple things like making their beds, emptying the cutlery tray from dishwasher, tidying up the play room and their rooms etc. I haven't decided about what to do with pocket money yet - I want them to learn that as part of this family they are expected to pitch in and help out, more and more as they get older but I don't want it purely linked to treats/rewards at the moment! Will let you know what I am going to do once I work it out
My DD is 3.5yrs old and helps me with certain things. ie. She takes all the washing off the clothes racks on the verandah and sorts it into pilees of daddy's, mummy's and her clothes. I fold them and put them away.
She also helps put things away from the washing up once it is dry (but this is donw with DH or myself present).
Helps us take the recycling out to the bin and today she brought the red bin up from the driveway as I bought the yellow bin as it was bin nightlast night. She loved doing that job.
She also gets the mail when we get home in the arvo.
All of the above things she LOVES to do, but try getting her to clean up her toys... NOT A CHANCE! She is hopeless unless she sees me throwing them out because I have asked too many times!
Mine are only 2 and 4 and they have to draw their blinds at night and again in the morning. They have to tidy up their toys before bed (I do plenty of tidying during the day!) and they put their plates/cutley/cups up to the kitchen after breakfast and dinner. They help me put their clean clothes away, although i'm not sure why - it always ends up with me refolding it and doing it again, but one day they'll get it right.
That's all though. It's not linked to rewards or pocket money. It's not really chores.
Kids are never to young to learn that it takes a lot of work to keep the house running, and everyone should help out where they can. I think it would be good for mine to see their Dad do a little more - he's not lazy, don't get me wrong, just i think boys need to see males doing housework too, so they don't think it's women's work ITMS.
I don't think there's a right time. I don't think they're ever too young. My DDs help me with lots of stuff every day. DD1 sets the table at night. And they pack up their toys (although I might have to ask them a trillion times). I don't give them any rewards for it though. I want them to learn that it's just part of being a family, not a 'chore' and not to be motivated to do it only to get a reward iykwim
Mine are 5 and almost 3 and they pack up their toys every night after dinner. They also make their beds in the morning (not perfectly but I'm happy if they give it a go!). DD also sets the table before dinner. Recently they have been taking it in turns to feed the dog too. I don't give them any money for it as I believe its all part of being in a family. I do occasionally give them a coin or two for their money box but it isn't linked to any chores.
My twins are 4.5 and they have to clear and wipe the table after dinner. They do lots of other chores like helping me hang out the washing, or helping DH in the garage, but that is only for fun. They also have to tidy their rooms and (with the elder children) keep the playroom tidy.
DD helps tidy her toys away & sometimes will help make her bed, although I pretty much am still doing it most days. She is expected to put her rubbish in the bin, get the cat & dog bowl to feed them at night (I remind her) and take her plate/bowls/cutlery etc... to the kitchen bench or sink when finished eating. That is about it so far but I am going to introduce more progressively throughout the year like make her bed
DD is almost 5 and she has to make her bed every morning, empty her lunchbox after school and set the table each night for dinner plus helping out with tidying up etc. She doesn't get pocket money, but if she doesn't do all her jobs, she loses a fridge magnet (lots of fridge magnets equal a little pressie). If you google The Organised Housewife, she has a post the with a whole list of 'responsibilities' that kids of various ages can do.
DD is 3 nearly 4 and she sets the table, Helps make the bed, helps load the washing machine, pick up her toys and feeds the pets. They are not set tasks but she is eager to help.
Do your preschoolers have specific chores?
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