I came across this years ago and I LOVE it. Now, all the chores don't apply to our family, but we do use this as a guide. We believe in starting chores at 9-12 months. Yes, 9-12 MONTHS! They can start doing chores with you at that age (putting books and toys away and such as that). The earlier you have your kids doing chores, the easier it will be for you and your household later on...trust me! We are reaping the benefits now! Our household runs so smoothly with soon-to-be 8 kids, now that 7 of them help with daily chores! They have good attitudes about it and do them without being told (well 98% of the time anyway). :)
~ Lisa
9 - 24 months
a.. Putting dirty clothes in hamper.
b.. "Helping" with grocery shopping (putting items in basket and on
check-out counter, handing things to mom to be put away at home.)
c.. Cleaning with mom (give child a dust rag, child size broom, empty
spray can/windex bottle for "pretend" cleaning).
d.. Watering plants (with pre-measured amounts!).
e.. Beginning to help make beds - (begins with handing the pillows to mom
until later).
f.. Yard work (helping collect trash and toys, etc.).
g.. Simple errands ("bring the diaper to mommy, please," etc.).
2 - 3 years
a.. As language develops, requiring politeness on a regular basis ("Yes
ma'am", "No sir", "May I please be excused", greeting, etc.).
b.. Generally including child in every-day activities on a regular basis
(cleaning, shopping, etc.).
c.. More complicated errands ("Take this towel and put it in the hamper",
etc.).
d.. Laundry (beginning to help with sorting by mom handing him things to
put in appropriate piles, transferring clothes from dryer to basket, etc.).
e.. Learning more specific neatness qualities (putting toys in proper
spots).
f.. Taking his dishes to the sink and helping to clear table.
g.. Carrying groceries in from car (give child one light item or a small
bag).
h.. General errands (carrying diaper bag into meeting, carrying mom's
purse to the car, etc.).
i.. Simple decision-making ("Would you like juice or milk to drink?").
j.. Put books and magazines in a rack.
k.. Place napkins, plates, and silverware on the table.
l.. Clean up what they drop after eating.
m.. Toilet training.
3 -4 years
a.. Making bed (begins with watching mom -- mom helping child -- mom
watching child) standards must be clear and reminders frequent.
b.. Keeping room neat and taking daily responsibility for it.
c.. Regular morning routine becoming established (getting dressed,
cleaning room before breakfast).
d.. More complex decision-making ("Would you like to wear the blue or
green pants?").
e.. Becoming "other-oriented" (drawing pictures for someone, making
encouragement notes to dictate to mom, thank you notes for birthday gifts).
f.. Learning to use the telephone properly.
g.. Established and regular responsibilities (bedroom, getting the mail,
emptying bathroom trash cans, etc.).
h.. Helping wash the car.
i.. Simple hygiene - brush teeth, wash and dry hands and face, and brush
hair.
j.. Undress self - dress with some help.
k.. Carry boxed or canned goods from the grocery sacks to the proper
shelf.
4 - 5 years
a.. Taking his laundry to designated place on laundry day.
b.. Sorting laundry with supervision.
c.. Begin learning to fold laundry and put it away.
d.. Hang socks, handkerchiefs, and washcloths on a low line.
e.. Vacuuming/sweeping.
f.. Cleaning table after meals.
g.. Helping with meal preparations (learning to measure, stir and use
small appliances).
h.. Spread butter on sandwiches.
i.. Prepare cold cereal.
j.. Help mother prepare plates of food for the family dinner.
k.. Make a simple dessert (add topping to cupcakes, pour the toppings on
ice cream).
l.. Hold the hand mixer to whip potatoes or mix up a cake.
m.. Setting the table.
n.. Taking out the trash.
o.. Helping make decisions about meal choices, outings, time with friends,
etc.
p.. Carrying groceries in from the car and putting them away.
q.. Help with grocery shopping and compiling a grocery list.
r.. Polish shoes and clean up afterwards.
s.. Follow a schedule for feeding pets.
t.. Help do the dishes or fill the dishwasher.
u.. Dust the furniture.
v.. Share toys with friends (practice courtesy).
w.. Tell parent his whereabouts before going out to play.
x.. Play without constant adult supervision and attention.
y.. Polish silver.
z.. Polish car.
aa.. Sharpen pencils.
5 - 6 years
a.. Unsupervised responsibilities (making bed, washing out trash cans,
etc.).
b.. More complicated meal preparations (making frozen juice, toast,
scrambling eggs, cutting with blunt knife, baking).
c.. Make own sandwich or simple breakfast, then clean up.
d.. Pour own drink.
e.. Prepare the dinner table.
f.. Tear up lettuce for the salad.
g.. Helping with younger siblings (changing diapers, helping with bath,
bottle feeding, entertaining while mom is out of the room, feeding/dressing
toddler siblings).
h.. Laundry (sorting, learning to use the washer/dryer, measuring
detergent,fold clean clothes and put them away.) .
i.. Cleaning (using cleaning supplies properly, cleaning unsupervised
areas like bathtub or polishing furniture, clean mirrors and windows).
j.. Sons -- carrying "heavy" things for mom and helping with yardwork.
k.. By this time child will begin to carry out responsibilities unasked
and begin to offer help in areas parents don't require help in.
l.. Make bed and clean room.
m.. Dress on own and choose outfit for the day.
n.. Learn to tie shoes.
o.. Answer the telephone and begin to dial the phone.
p.. Yardwork.
q.. Pay for small purchases.
r.. Help clean out the car.
s.. Take out the garbage.
t.. Decide how he wants to spend his share of the family entertainment
fund.
u.. Feed his pets and clean the living area.
6 - 7 years
a.. Simple meals prepared (making sandwiches for lunch, preparing drinks,
fixing breakfast for mom and dad, preparing salad for dinner, peel
vegetables).
b.. Regular quiet time becoming a part of daily routine.
c.. Totally unsupervised laundry responsibilities when needed.
d.. Increased responsibilities for younger siblings (dressing
infants/toddlers, entertaining them for longer periods by reading to
them/playing records, etc., helping school them).
e.. Learning the purpose and beginning usage of tools (lawn mower, hand
tools, etc.) and helping with home maintenance.
f.. Shake rugs.
g.. Water plants and flowers.
h.. Prepare own school lunch.
i.. Help hang clothes on the clothesline.
j.. Hang up own clothes in the closet.
k.. Gather wood for the fireplace.
l.. Rake leaves and weed.
m.. Tie own shoes.
n.. Care for his own minor injuries.
o.. Keep the garbage container clean.
p.. Clean out inside of car.
q.. Straighten or clean out silverware drawer.
r.. Oil and care for bike.
s.. Take phone messages.
t.. Run errands for parents.
u.. Sweep and wash patio area.
v.. Water the lawn.
w.. Wash dog or cat.
x.. Train pets.
y.. Take pet for walk.
z.. Carry in the grocery sacks.
aa.. Get self up in the morning and go to bed at night on own.
ab.. Learn to be polite, courteous, and to share; respect others.
ac.. Carry own lunch money and notes back to school.
ad.. Leave the bathroom in order.
ae.. Do simple ironing.
8 - 10 years
a.. Complete responsibility for their rooms on a daily basis (bed making,
dresser drawers, closet, vacuuming, etc.).
b.. Unsupervised yard work (i.e., lawn mowing, edging, clean-up,
gardening).
c.. More complex meal preparations (pour and make tea, coffee, and instant
drinks, using sharp instruments, baking, using appliances, beginning meal
planning).
d.. More difficult cleaning projects (scrubbing kitchen floor, windows,
cleaning appliances).
e.. Summer jobs (lawn mowing, dog sitting, babysitting, odd jobs for
vacationers).
f.. Financial planning (computing percentages for saving, tithing,
offerings, gift-giving and assuming responsibility with parental oversight).
g.. Beginning car maintenance (helping dad with minor repairs, learning
tool usage, washing/waxing).
h.. Help rearrange furniture. Help plan the layout.
i.. Run own bathwater.
j.. Help others with their work when asked.
k.. Shop for and select own clothing and shoes with parent.
l.. Change school clothes without being told.
m.. Fold blankets.
n.. Sew buttons and sew rips in seams.
o.. Clean storage room.
p.. Clean up animal "messes" in the yard and house.
q.. Cut flowers and make a centerpiece.
r.. Pick fruit off trees.
s.. Build a campfire, get items ready to cook out (charcoal, hamburgers).
t.. Paint fence or shelves.
u.. Help write simple letters.
v.. Write thank-you notes.
w.. Help with defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator.
x.. Feed the baby.
y.. Polish silverware, copper, or brass items.
z.. Clean patio furniture.
aa.. Wax living room furniture.
ab.. Change sheets and put dirty sheets in hamper.
ac.. Buy groceries using a list and comparative shopping.
ad.. Cross streets unassisted.
ae.. Keep own appointments.
af.. Receive and answer own mail.
ag.. Wait on guests.
ah.. Plan own birthday.
ai.. Simple first aid.
aj.. Do neighborhood chores.
ak.. Sew, knit, or weave (even using a sewing machine).
al.. Do chores without a reminder.
am.. Learn banking and to be thrifty and trustworthy.
an.. Handle sums of money up to $5.00.
ao.. Be alone at home for short periods.
ap.. Take the city bus to selected destinations.
aq.. Proper conduct when staying overnight with a friend. Pack own
suitcase.
ar.. Responsible for personal hobby.
as.. Handle self properly when in public places alone or with peers.
11 - 12 years
a.. Join outside organizations, do assignments, and attend. Able to take
responsibility as a leader.
b.. Put siblings to bed and dress them.
c.. Clean pool and pool area.
d.. Respect others' property.
e.. Run own errands.
f.. Mow lawn with supervision.
g.. Help Father build things and do family errands.
h.. Schedule himself time for studies.
i.. Buy own sweets or treats.
j.. Responsible for a paper route.
k.. Check and add oil to car under supervision.
13 - 15 years
a.. Determine how late he should stay up during the week. Also determine
how late he should be out for evening gatherings (through mutual
parent-child discussion and agreement).
b.. Responsibility for preparing family meals.
c.. Social awareness: good health, exercise, necessary rest, correct
weight, nutritious food, physical examinations.
d.. Anticipate the needs of others and initiate the appropriate action.
e.. Acceptance of capabilities and limitations.
f.. Self-respect or individual worth.
g.. Responsibility for one's decision.
h.. Mutual respect, loyalty, and honesty in the family.
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