When you first assign chores for kids, it will certainly be more work for you parents than if you were completing the tasks yourself. Having a 2 or 3 year old helping out with the laundry definitely has a tendency to slow you down! However assigning children household chores is one of the best ways to build self-esteem and a feeling of competence. Regular chores establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work. Having chores also teaches valuable lessons about life and creates an understanding that there are jobs that must be done to run a household. Children who grow up perceiving chores as a normal part of life will find the flow into adulthood much easier than those without responsibility will.

Here are some tips from A-Better-Child.org for getting started with assigning chores for kids:

Break it down - When teaching chores, parents should break each one down into small parts. For example, instead of telling a child to clean his bedroom and leaving it at that, parents should list all of the things that make up the chore of cleaning the bedroom, for example, changing the sheets, picking up toys and putting them away, dusting the dresser, and vacuuming. Parents should then show their children how to do each part of the chore correctly.

Don’t do it yourself - Parents should not do their children’s work for them. If parents get frustrated and give in and do their children’s chores, children learn a number of things. First of all, children learn that their parents don’t mean what they say and will not follow through. Secondly, children learn that if they hold out long enough someone will do their chores for them. Parents should simply apply consequences until their children comply.

Don’t redo the chore -Re-doing a job is the quickest way to lose help. Just keep in mind that you need to explain the job more clearly next time, or maybe he’s not ready yet. If you absolutely can’t stand it, use it as a teaching opportunity to show your child how you would like the job done or take care of it when you are certain the child won’t catch you.

Don’t hover – When the cat’s tail is getting caught in the vacuum—jump in. However, try to allow your child the chance to do it on his own.

Let them enjoy – Children need to enjoy the sense of accomplishment that goes along with completing a task. This sense of satisfaction and feeling that they are contributing to the family is going to keep them working with you as they get older. Research shows feelings of satisfaction and contribution are much greater motivators than pay, praise or punishment!

Make it easy – If your child is to set the table, can he reach the dishes? Are the dishes breakable? Be sure the child can do the job with ease, according to size and developmental stage.

Make it Age Appropriate – “The level of expected chores should be appropriate to the child’s skill and ability. But even for very young children, helping around the house allows a child to feel like a vital part of the family.

Make the job important -Children feel rewarded by work that is seen as “needed.” Let your child know how much his effort has helped the family. Even little tasks help out.

Pretend play is a great way to start teaching your toddler doing chores. With help of play kitchen you can teach how to clear table, unload utensils from dishwasher, wash plastic dishes at sink, fix bowl of cereal etc. If handled correctly, chores for kids should really help your household to run more smoothly. In time, it will also help your children to learn responsibility and will prepare them to successfully take care of themselves once they are living on their own. Give it a try and watch your workload begin to lighten!

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