Introducing Your Toddler to Chores

Cleaning a room ten times in one day got really old, really fast. If my children were going to make a mess-they could clean it up. It started off as just having them pick up their toys, but I was slowly amazed at what else they were capable of, and they have made my cleaning job much easier.

Do Your Chores in Front of Them

The first thing you can do to teach your child about cleaning is to have them watch you do it. I used to save my cleaning for nap time, and then I realized that I was keeping a learning experience away from my children. They would watch me wash dishes, fold laundry, pick up trash and toys, and they actually were the ones who showed an interest in learning more about cleaning.

Pick Age Appropriate Chores

Picking the chores for your child depends on their age and capabilities. I started both of them off when they were around 6 or 7 months old. Whenever they finished playing with their toys I would put a box in front of them. I would then show them that the toys go in the box by putting some into the box myself. I would sometimes have to take their hand and help them pick the toys up and put them in the box. Slowly, they began doing it on their own.

Once they got a little older, I showed them where their trash goes, how to put clothes in the laundry basket, and even how to vacuum. Our kids love the vacuum. I have one of those handheld vacuums for quick messes and my daughter kept begging me to let her try. So one day, I did. She was fascinated how it sucked everything right up! Here is a helpful list on what chores are appropriate for certain ages.


Age Appropriate Chores for Kids

Make a Chore Chart

This was one of the best things I did that really got my two year old to consistently do her chores, even without me asking. I placed it on the fridge so she could see it each morning. It is a flip chart with pictures, so she really understands what I am asking her to do, and she loves to get to close each flap after she has completed a task. The inside flaps are actual pictures of what needs cleaned (and the photos are of what each area looks like when it is a mess), and the outside flaps are what the rooms look like when they are cleaned.

Give Incentives

Most of the time, my daughter loves to just close the flaps on her chore chart...most of the time. There are times when I have to intervene to make sure the chores of the day have been completed. It depends on what the situation is, but I may reward her with a little bit of t.v. time, a story, or a snack. Other times, I will make a game out of it. My son is already comprehending where the trash, toys, and laundry go-so when he sees my daughter doing her chores he runs over to help out. So I may say, "Come on! Your brother is going to win!" and that encourages her to try harder. There is no prize for the "winner" but it becomes more of a game than a chore.

There are times when she makes a mess and angrily refuses to clean it up (she is two). So I take her security toy and set him up on the bar (it's a small bear she named "Boo"). I then tell her, "Boo is going to sit up here and watch Isabella clean until she is finished." Eager to have her beloved toy back she eventually does clean it up.


Overall, cleaning is a fun experience for my children...for now. And my workload is much less stressful with my little helpers.