If you’re trying to get your kids to help out around the house, these tips will help!
Did you know that chores give kids a sense of purpose, teach discipline and help with fine and gross motor skills? Teach your kids responsibility and independence by giving them chores.
How To Get Your Kids To Do Chores
Getting kids to do chores is something that most parents want. We want to teach our children discipline and we just want some help around the house! At least, that’s what I want. 🙂
If you’re wondering if chores are the right thing for your kids, no worries, I got you covered! Here are some of the awesome benefits of chores.
Benefits Of Chores
Builds Self Esteem
Getting a chore done and checking it off the list builds confidence. It also helps them to feel independent. There is satisfaction in knowing that they did it themselves without any help.
They’ll Be More Successful
Research from the University of Minnesota found that kids who do chores when they were younger were more likely to be successful adults. The sense of responsibility is something that they’ll take with them their whole life.
Helps With Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Hands-on movements help with gross and fine motor skills. These are the developmental skills that all kids need. Chores promote strength, coordination and cognitive skills.
Teaches The Importance Of Completing Things
Being responsible and completing things gives you a sense of accomplishment. This will help them later in life when they move out on their own and get a job.
Teaches Them The Value Of Keeping Things Clean
Keeping things clean, neat and organized helps your home feel more peaceful and less cluttered. When my home is a mess, I feel anxious and stressed.
Teaching kids good habits, like keeping your home clean, will last a lifetime and help them to be more organized adults.
Teaches Self- Discipline
Time management and planning are important lifelong skills that all kids need. If they have something fun they want to do but have chores that need to be completed, they’ll learn to prioritize and get things done. This skill will be very valuable as adults.
Teaches Kids The Importance Of Helping Around The House/ Being Apart Of The Family
Teaching them to be a team player is important. They need to know that we all work together to help one another around the house. Kids will learn that they are important contributors to the family which helps them feel more connected.
How To Get Kids To Do Them
Okay, so we know the benefits of chores but how in the world do we get them to actually do them?
- Reasonable expectations
Be realistic. Are the Chores age-appropriate? For example, your 4-year old probably isn’t going to be able to load the dishwasher by themselves but he could pick up his toys.
- Give them choices
Children are more likely to actually do the chore if they have choices. For example, if their chore is to sweep the floor every day, sweeping the floor is something that they have to do but WHEN they do it could be a choice they make. They can choose to do it after school, after supper or before bedtime.
- Start Young
When kids are younger, they’re more likely to help out. They want to please their parents and younger kids like to copy parents. So set a good example. 😉
- Involve Kids In Selecting Chores
It helps to sit down and have a family meeting. Let them know what your expectations are and allow them to have input.
Involving kids in the decision makes it more likely that they’ll actually do them. It helps them to “own” it.
- Is there a reward?
There are different thoughts on whether or not there should be rewards for chores. For us, we have chores that they do just because they live here and chores that they earn money from. Sitting down and discussing this as a family will help kids know what is expected.
- Make Chore Chart Visible
It’s more likely to be used if kids can see it. Put it on the refrigerator or somewhere they’ll likely see it multiple times a day. Have them check off the chore as they do it.
- Teach them how to do the chores
Make sure you teach them HOW to do the chore. This will help reduce frustration for both parents and kids.
So are you looking for an awesome chore chart to get your kids started doing chores?
I’ve got you! Here is a FREE printable for you. ALL of my subscribers get access to this printable AND all the printables in my FREE resource library! Whoohoo!!
*This is a free printable for personal use only. You may not sell this item as your own*