How Household Chores Benefit Youth
Performing household chores helps children of all ages and abilities learn important skills and builds self-worth and character. Research suggests that a child as young as 3 years old can begin these important steps to building future life skills.
Teaching these skills may take time and patience on your part, however, skills like learning time management, responsibility, and developing organization can lead to success in school, employment and grant greater independence while promoting self-esteem.
Here are some tips on getting started:
- Set clear expectations and consider modeling the chore or work alongside your child
- Set a routine for when the chore can be completed
- Modify the chore to the ability level of your child
- Allow for frustration and encourage with positive praise or positive reinforcement (example could be money allowance, more video game time earned, sticker chart)
- Use songs or games to make the chore more fun and interesting (allow a teen to listen to music while completing chores, set a timer to see how much your child can do when racing the clock)
- Mix it up! Some children need consistency in doing the same task repeatedly, other children may need a chore rotation chart.
- Give praise after chore completion and pick your battles. If the chore isn’t done to “your expectation” decide what skill you are teaching your child. Is it learning a routine, being more responsible, building self-worth or is it about doing their best work?
Follow these links for helpful chore tips, reward charts, and more!
