Chores for Toddlers. With most everyone staying at home during this crazy time, I thought we could discuss toddlers helping with chores around the house. I have two toddler boys. Oliver is three and Emmitt is one. They are at that age where they want to help.
Benefits of Chores
- Chores teach responsibility
- Chores allow the child to contribute to the household
- Chores teach respect (respecting the house and the items in it)
- Chores teach work ethic
- Chores prepare the child for adulthood and to live on their own
- Chores teach life skills
I taught Life Skills at a juvenile delinquent facility. Most of those students have no concept of just basic living skills. We learn certain tasks while growing up from our parents. They mold us into the adults we are going to become. When that role model or parent isn’t in the child’s life they do not learn those essential skills.
Life Skills used to be taught in school classes like Home Economics or Family Consumer Science. Most schools have since gotten rid of those classes due to budget cuts or other reasons. So, the responsibility of teaching life skills to our children falls solely on us.
As a parent, you are probably teaching them basic life skills without even knowing it. Potty training, teaching them how to get dressed and picking up after themselves are all life skills that most people take for granted of being taught.
Chores for Toddlers
My boys enjoy helping me with certain tasks around the house. I know when they get older they are going to probably refuse to do chores, so I will take the help while I have it. Here is a list of chores that my boys help me with around the house.
Laundry
Like any household, we have plenty of laundry to go around. It is not my favorite thing, but I also don’t mind it. In a week, we do about four or five loads of laundry. Both Oliver and Emmitt put their clothes in the laundry basket when they get undressed.
Oliver likes to help me get the laundry together and put it in the washer. He also helps me transfer the washed clothes into the dryer. They both attempt to help me fold clothes, but that usually ends with clean laundry on the floor. They will learn that one day.
Vacuuming
The boys help clean up toys and dog toys in preparation for vacuuming the floor. They also have a toy vacuum and popper toy that they like to pretend they are vacuuming with.
As soon as my husband or I get the vacuum out of the closest, they run over to get their toys and run them across the floor like they are vacuuming. They may not be doing the chore yet, but when they are big enough they will know how to vacuum and hopefully will want to help.
Emptying the Dishwasher
We run our dishwasher a few times a week. Oliver enjoys getting the washer pod and putting it in the slot and closing the lid. He also will push the buttons that I show him to get the dishwasher to start to run.
When the dishwasher has completed its wash cycle. The boys enjoy helping us unload and put the dishes away. Of course, we take all the sharp knives and utensils out before they can hurt themselves.
I can understand if some parents do not want their kids to help with this task, because of breakable dishes and possibly dropping on the floor. But unloading the dishes makes my boys feel important and helpful, so I will let them help with it.
Feeding the Dogs
Feeding the dogs is a daily task. Our dogs eat twice a day, my husband usually feeds them in the morning and the boys and I usually feed them in the evening. We have two dogs, so Oliver gets a bowl and Emmitt gets a bowl.
They will bring the dog bowls over and I will put the dog food in and they will put the bowls back. Oliver also enjoys helping to get the dogs’ water. Sometimes we have a mess but what childhood wasn’t full of messes.
Putting away Toys
This is a chore that both my boys despise. They will find anything else to do to get out of cleaning up their toys. But they are the ones who make the mess they need to be responsible for cleaning up after themselves.
We usually clean up the toys twice a day, before lunchtime and nap and then before bath time and bed. Both of the boys can participate in this chore since they both contribute to getting toys out.
Putting Items away
If you read my post about the shoe rack, I talked about how Oliver takes his shoes off the moment we get home. We taught him how to pick up after himself so he immediately places his shoes in the shoe rack so they aren’t just laying around.
He also will take off his jacket and take it to the closet for someone to hang it back up for him. This is a great life lesson so they will continue to grow up and put their things away.
Conclusion
I understand that not everyone has time to allow their toddlers to help with chores. Allowing them to help will slow down the process that we could easily complete without their help. I want to raise mature, responsible boys that I know will be able to live on their own when that time comes.
I hope you found something useful and your toddler likes to help out around the house with these chores for toddlers.
Leave a comment below if your toddler helps out with another chore in your household.
If you enjoyed this post, please visit Learning Activities for Toddlers and Not so Terrible Twos.
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53 Comments
Infinity Laser Spa
When I was a kid, my parents always had my siblings and I do chores. It helps teach accountability a bit but also get kids used to taking part into keeping the house clean.
Julia Hess
Exactly, I know one day my boys will not want to clean. But for now, they enjoy cleaning and helping so I will allow that so they will learn.
Loise
It is really good if we trained our young ones some of the household chores as you know children nowadays are very hooked with gadgets. It should be essential for them to learn this things while still young. Great post, hope many parents can take a note or tips on this article.
Julia Hess
Haha don’t get me wrong, my kids enjoy watching tv throughout the day, but they also will be taught work ethic. They will work hard for the things they want and won’t just get it handed to them. Thank you for the wonderful feedback!
Loise
that’s nice! then it means that your kids know the value of hard work 🙂 Which was really rarely seen nowadays. you’re really a great parent indeed! 🙂
Julia Hess
Haha thanks just doing what I can for my boys. I definitely what them to work hard for things they want.
GiGi Eats
My son, who is one, already grabs for the mop and broom and tries to clean. He doesn’t KNOW what he is doing, but it’s super cute and… I am excited to have him get to work when he is old enough, LOL!
Julia Hess
Aww that’s adorable. At least he is trying his hardest to help. He will be working and cleaning before you know it!
Angie
I think you talking about allowing the time to let them help and the importance of it is great. We make time for what’s important to us and sometimes we need to take a hard look at what we make a priority in our life and why. Great reminder!
Julia Hess
Great feedback. It is so true, we are the ones who shape our children. Some other people have hand in it also but mostly it is us. I want my boys to have a work ethic and to work hard for the things they want.
Amber Myers
These are some great chores for toddlers. My kids always liked to help at that age. Now as teens? Not so much!
Julia Hess
haha that is what I am worried about when they get older too. So, I will allow them to help now when they actually want to.
Tara Pittman
Chores are good for kids. My youngest were folding laundry as toddlers as my older daughter taught them how to fold towels so she would have less work
Julia Hess
She is a smart cookie. Also, took the teaching part off of you. I need to teach them to fold, but for now, they like to unfold lol.
Krysten Quiles
You are giving me IDEAS. I totally need to borrow my nephew to come over and do some chores. That’s okay, right?
Julia Hess
Sure thing if he wants to help go for it! Teaching them responsibility.
Shruti
I don’t have kids but these tips seems great. I will pass it on to my other friends. Thanks
Julia Hess
Thank you for sharing!
Marie Phillips
These are all great ideas. I remember when my now 8-year-old son was a toddler and would get mad at me if I didn’t call him to come help me get the clothes out of the dryer. Now if I could get him to be that excited about chores again, lol.
Julia Hess
Haha that is Oliver, he comes running the moment he hears me opening the dryer. I hope he keeps that excitement but I have a feeling it is going to fade.
Sophia
Chores are such a good way to keep them busy and help with their development. I love it!
Julia Hess
Yes! Chores help mold their work ethic. And a wonderful way to keep them busy, especially while being stuck in the house. Thank you.
Kelly
This is a fabulous article! I did so well with my first child, he is so capable. But, my daughter who is 5 years younger did not have the same expectations as my son. I have started to pick up the game in giving her, and holding her to, responsibilities.
Julia Hess
Oh I hear you. With my second one, he is living in his own world. It is easier for me to have my oldest clean up the toys because he is faster and knows where things go, but I have to hold both to the same standard regardless. Keep up the amazing work!!
CA
Great parenting! Learning life skills at an early age will turn into habits that your kids will thank you in adulthood. How I wish I was taught financial skills early on as well.
Julia Hess
I sure hope those habits stick the more they grow up! Yea I remember being taught how to balance a checkbook, still don’t do that lol but at least I know how to.
chad
This is great and yes I agree with you! It is important to engage all kids in the house chores, it keeps them entertained and makes them responsible.
Julia Hess
Exactly! Most of the messes either come from them or the dogs anyway so they should help clean them up. Thank you.
Kristen V
I love having help around the house. It’s important to teach them when they are younger so it becomes part of a routine
Julia Hess
Yes routine is important. The more they do something the better they become at it, practice makes perfect.
Candace Hampton
I always grew up doing chores and I am 100% on board with this! It teaches children basic life skills that they need. I always say that you can tell who did their chores growing up and who didn’t. What better time to teach them valuable lessons?
Julia Hess
Yep I grew up doing chores also. Definitely taught me to be a little more responsible for my things. I figure the younger they are the more time they will have to help me growing up.
littlemisadvencha
It’s nice to teach kids as at very early age the responsibilities like doing chores. They will help them become responsible in the future.
Julia Hess
I want my boys to be successful in life, so why not start now to teach them responsibility.
Jos folio
I am so happy that someone is priortising life skills. Life skills gives you confidence , calm you down and makes you independent. So inspired by the article. Well, I am definitely going to instill this in my children in future.
Julia Hess
I have seen first hand when kids grow up with no life skills. So glad you are inspired by this. Thank you for such kind words.
Amila
This post gives really good ideas for moms with toddlers.When my kid was in toddler age,I started asking him doing some chores.He was eager to help me. Now he is 7 years old and still continues helping me in small tasks. 🙂
Julia Hess
That is awesome. I hope my boys continue wanting to help me clean and do tasks. It is always awesome to see how proud they are when they have completed something.
Srishti Singh
I always grew up doing chores and I am 100% on board with this! My mother used to assign me and my sister work in my vacations
Julia Hess
Agreed, my siblings and I grew up doing chores. Have to teach them responsibility.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen
i think its great that we train our young ones to be trained but honestly i know that my youngest will not obey hahaha!
Julia Hess
Yea I am slightly struggling with my youngest too. He has a mind of his own. But the moment he sees big brother doing something he wants to help.
Cristina Petrini
It is an excellent way that uses the Montessori method to educate children from an early age to self-sufficiency and education. Brilliant.
Julia Hess
Hmm very interesting. Just figured they are young, the more they learn and grow, the better they will become at the tasks. Thanks.
Monidipa
Kids who do chores learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. … Doing chores also helps kids feel like they’re part of the team. Pitching in and helping family members is good for them and it encourages them to be good citizens.
Julia Hess
Exactly, when they help out they feel as they are contributing also. It is definitely a good thing for them to do.
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Sol Razo
Great post, this helps parents to be inspired in teaching kids to learn simple chores at home instead of focusing more on mobile games. Let’s them while they are young.
Julia Hess
Learning chores now at a young age is a great tool to have. Hopefully, they continue to want to help clean up.
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angela k church
I believe in starting early and these are all great ways for them to feel as if they are doing something to help out as well thanks for sharing
Julia Hess
Today he actually sat down and helped me get the clothes out to fold. If he wants to help I will surely let him help.