Pick chores based on age

Teaching children how to help out around the house throughout the year can be a great way for parents to instill a sense of responsibility in their youngsters while also lightening the load on Mom and Dad. How much kids can help around the house depends on their ages. The following are a few age-specific chores kids can do to make life at home a little easier on their parents.

• Toddlers: Toddlers and preschool-aged children might not be able to do too much around the house, but simple chores such as cleaning up their play areas can make chores easier for parents. Make kids responsible for putting their toys away after playtime. Kids ages 2 and 3 can also help set the table for dinner by laying out placemats, but be sure tots steer clear of utensils.

• Ages 4-5: Children finishing preschool and those currently enrolled in kindergarten can pitch in a little more than they did as toddlers, setting the table for meals (prevent kids from accessing sharp utensils such as steak knives) and even helping with some simple meal prep. Children who are 4 and 5 can also put their folded laundry away and clean their rooms.

• Ages 6-9: Children in first, second, third and fourth grades are old enough to handle more significant chores than they had when they were younger. Kids ages 6 to 9 can be trusted to feed pets, though parents should teach them the appropriate times to feed pets each day and the correct amount of food to place in bowls so pets do not overeat. Children in this age group can also rake leaves and water plants around the house after being taught how to properly water each plant. Folding laundry, dusting furniture and bookshelves, and taking out the garbage are a few more tasks 6-to-9-year-olds may be able to handle.

• Ages 10 and up: Children who are 10 and older can help out in ways that make parents’ lives much easier. Such youngsters can clean bathrooms, do laundry, vacuum floors and load and unload the dishwasher. Since such chores are time-consuming and complex, to show their appreciation, parents may want to give older kids allowances.

• Adolescents: Adolescents can be trusted to make simple meals and baby-sit their younger siblings, saving parents time and money. If adolescents baby-sit, consider paying them for their time, even if they already receive an allowance.

Parents should realize that kids will not always be perfect when doing their chores. Resist the temptation to do chores for them, and praise and encourage kids when they do things right.