Little chores?
Since Kathrynne is now almost 16 months old, I'm trying to start training her to help me with little chores around the house. Any suggestions on what chores you have your very little children do?
She is learning how to put things away and will throw something in the trash when I give it to her to throw out, but I'm having trouble coming up with other little projects she is able to accomplish and would love to hear your thoughts and input. I'd also love to hear from any moms on how they teach their children to work. I want to train her to enjoy serving and helping, not see it as a drudgery.
She is learning how to put things away and will throw something in the trash when I give it to her to throw out, but I'm having trouble coming up with other little projects she is able to accomplish and would love to hear your thoughts and input. I'd also love to hear from any moms on how they teach their children to work. I want to train her to enjoy serving and helping, not see it as a drudgery.
posted by Crystal Paine at 11:32 AM
27 Comments:
Something I do with my daughters: When I'm doing laundry, I hand them clothes to take to certain rooms. Yes, they often don't stay folded, but it's worth it to see them helping out. Even my 15 month old could do it. Beforehand we established which was "mommy's room" or "baby's room" or "this goes on the stairs". Even small toddlers can have great success with this.
Another thing we do is utilize the "Swiffer". I set it up and take off the top. That way it's shorter. We have wood floors and even my youngest can push it all around. She loves to feel like she's helping and the swiffer picks up dust and dirt no matter her skill level!
Lastly, we label the different toy boxes. DOLLS go in one, BLOCKS another, and BOOKS in another. We are slowly learning how to sort. It's fun for them, they don't know they are helping. :)
-Jennie
I have a 17 mo. old son and I try to have him by my side when I am doing household chores. It is tempting to have him somewhere out of the way, but than he would never see "mom at work". For example we make my bed together, he is obviously just in the room, but I talk cheerfully as I do it, and than we make his bed. OK it is just one blanket in the crib, but he loves to try and fluff the pillow and have me fluff his blanket around his head. I can see from my older children that the attitude in which I approach work, is what they have learned. I do almost all of my housework with my children around so that they see the heart and attitude in which I approach things. I can see in my fourteen year old daughter that she enjoys taking care of the home. And we are still talking with her about it all as well :)
George is 22 months. He does throw garbage away too. I have taught him to put dirty lauandry in the hamper and to "help" me unload the drier.
He likes to help unload the dishwasher too. I have mostly glass dishes so he just hands them to me and I put them in the cupboards. He hasn't broken one yet. I let him put the silver ware in the drawer. Now he is too short to see where, in the drawer, the silverware is going but I just fix it afterwards.
Um...what else. When he spills some milk or water on the floor, I give him a papertowel to wipe it up. He does a pretty decent job. Then he throws it away. He also will gather all of his sippy cups and throw them in the sink.
I also make him pick up anything he has dropped or thrown. For instance, he threw one of daddy's shirts on the floor that had been on the couch, and I made him pick it up and put it back.
He will also fetch things for me which is really nice because it is hard for me to get things when I am breastfeeding (I don't use slings). He will get a spitcloth or towel (yes, he knows the difference) and he will find the baby's binky (not his, the baby's). He also brings me tissues and the TV remote and the telephone. He always seems like he wants to help.
I really wish I could teach him to pick up his toys. He will pick them up with me but not by himself. He isn't even two yet, so I shouldn't be too concerned.
I also will give him a clean wet sponge and let him go to town on the bathroom (I have all my cleaaning chemicals out of reach.)
He has been pretty easy to teach. I'm not that hard on him. He just wants to help and copies me.
My favorite thing for him to do is keep the baby entertained. That is why I am able to write this : ) The baby loves to watch and smile at him. George always makes sure the baby has his binky in and that the swing is swinging well (he can operate the controls).
George is a few months older than your girl.
I think if you just encourage her to help mommy that she will pick up chores just fine.
George also would feed my dog, but we have gotten rid of her. Found an excellent home for her where she can be the center of attention.
Well, George stopped entertaining Harry so I can't write anymore. : )
Crystal, as you know I'm not a mother quite yet...so I don't have ideas as a mother. However, I ran across something the other day and thought of you. We get a Mennonite clothing/household goods catalog called "GVS" and in there, they have small-scale (toy) things like an iron and ironing board, broom and dustpan, etc. They are about the right size for a toddler, and when you are doing things like ironing that Kathrynne can't quite help with yet, she could "iron" hankies or doll clothes along side of you. I know that doesn't help you get your work done, but it gives her a chance to practice before she uses the real thing.:-)
I have found the best thing to get the really small ones to help is using clorox wipes. While you are cleaning the bathroom, they can wipe down everything! My two year old like to also stand at the sink and wash dishes even though they don't get clean. She likes the bubbles. Having a 16 month old throw things away is awesome!
We also try to talk about why we are doing things as we do them. "this is going to help daddy" "we are being help meets to your daddy." etc...
You could also have her practice setting a kids table with paper plates and setting out silverware.
Sing and smile while you work and your children will know your job is joyful!
The Swiffer Duster is a nice tool for a little one. Show her how to Swiffer something not-too-breakable like the fronts of your cabinets, the kitchen table or some chairs.
Ozzie's tasks included giving the dog his treat upon returning from outside and assisting with laundry (putting items into the basket or mostly, removing them from the basket). He also helped with unloading the dishwasher. Buy cheap corelle that's light weight but able to be washed on the lower level; that way the child can learn to 'hand Mom a plate' without too much risk of breakage or injury.
Ozzie will be three in July; he gets MAD now if we do his 'chores'. He has to let the dog in and out, get the dog's treat, ask people what they want for drink with dinner and then carry said drink to the table, throw away all of Baby Nolan's used diapers, load the dryer with wet clothes handed to him by an adult, help unload the dishwasher and swiffer the kitchen floor. If we even TRY to do one of his tasks, he gets very mad at us. Poor boy will eventually understand the irony...
Katie in Ohio
Here are some things that I do with my 20 month old:
1.) runs to get her baby sister (who is 4 mon.) a diaper when needed.
2.) throw away baby sisters diaper and other bits of trash.
3.) pick up her baby dolls and put them in the basket.
4.) helps take dirty laundry to the laundry room.
5.) helps her sister (7yr) put away the girl clothes.
6.) she loves to help unload the dishwasher. I have moved the childrens non-breakable plates, cups etc. down to a low cabinet. She loves to put those dishes up in the cabinet (also likes to play with them!)
7.) we are teaching her to fold wash cloths.
8.) she can help pick up with the other children.
9.) starting to clear her dishes from the table with help. Started working on saying, "May I be excused?" however, it comes out, "UH, fuse, tese" (Excuse please)
With a large family, she not only has me to help her, but her siblings to teach her and help her and show her examples. I wouldn't get too overwhelmed with trying to do everything. Just bring her along side you when you can...she will pick up on what mommy does.
While they're not "chores" in the traditional sense, a friend of mine pays her three children to play with her hair or give her hand/feet "massages." She just sits on the floor and lets her children crowd around her. They enjoy it, too, and don't mind getting a quarter or two for 30 minutes of "Mom time" (that they would probably do without payment anyway, but it's also an early opportunity to teach them about saving and giving their money.) This would be a great opportunity to review Bible passages or teach a lesson, in addition to some quiet, peaceful time in the middle of a busy day.
-Natalie
My daughter is a few weeks shy of 16 months as well (so that's a big reason I enjoy your blog!). Ditto on the dishwasher thing - she LOVES helping me unload it, even if it's one spoon at a time. Of couse, you have to be right there when she tries to pick up a plate, and I quickly take out all the knives and forks...but it's still pretty cute.
I also use homemade non-toxic cleaners (read: baking soda and vinegar), so I'm okay with her "helping me." For instance, when I scrub the tub, she gets a sponge and scrubs with me. Not really, but she's imitating me. When I'm dusting, I give her a rag and she follows me. Granted, she copies me by dusting things like her blocks and books, but it's training her the basic skill.
I love all these ideas! They're helping me out, too, because I was wanting more ideas on the same topic.
My daughter is a few weeks shy of 16 months as well (so that's a big reason I enjoy your blog!). Ditto on the dishwasher thing - she LOVES helping me unload it, even if it's one spoon at a time. Of couse, you have to be right there when she tries to pick up a plate, and I quickly take out all the knives and forks...but it's still pretty cute.
I also use homemade non-toxic cleaners (read: baking soda and vinegar), so I'm okay with her "helping me." For instance, when I scrub the tub, she gets a sponge and scrubs with me. Not really, but she's imitating me. When I'm dusting, I give her a rag and she follows me. Granted, she copies me by dusting things like her blocks and books, but it's training her the basic skill.
I love all these ideas! They're helping me out, too, because I was wanting more ideas on the same topic.
Mine helped me unload the dishwasher at that age. Threw stuff in the trash. Started putting away toys in the proper place.
Hi Crystal,
Just wanted to mention that I stumbled across your blog a while ago, and have really been blessed by it. The Mother's Day posts were so wonderful and inspiring! And this question regarding "little chores" is great, as I have been working on the same thing with my 16 month old little girl.
Thanks for all your encouragement in my wonderful God-given roles of wife and mother!
A few things my mom had us do.
1. Help "fold" clothes.
2. Put away non-breakable dishes in low cupboards.
3. Help feed pets or water plants
4. Dust (with a dry cloth, no chemicals)
5. help making bed
Some of the chores were essentially un-helpful, but it was the action and the assistance that got the point across and eventually as we got older we were ushered into real chores, more complicated chores, etc.
My 22 month old throws away diapers, picks up food and trash off of the floor after meals and throws them away, puts his toys away and cleans his room,and loves to dry-wipe the outside of the fridge door while I'm doing my cleaning. :-)
He also loves to count with me, when I'm measuring things while cooking, and likes to be my "kitchen helper," which for him currently entails his throwing stuff away for me, and helping me get stuff out of the pantry.
My mother's techniques are time tested. Me and all of my siblings enjoy working around the home, yard and workshops and keeping things very tidy. We learned this from Mom as soon as we were able to walk.
My mother would sometimes invent little jobs for us to do and provided such encouragement to us that we were indeed "a big boy or girl" Each one felt like we were a valuable contributing member to the family.
A few things I remember are her taking a high drawer out of the dresser and putting it on the floor so I could put the folded socks into it and line them up by colour. Whenever she baked something as a very small child I would sit on the counter and "help" by stiring something or dumping the ingredients in as she handed them to me.
In the garden, Mom would let me help by pulling the weeds in the row with her. This started when I was 4 and believe it or not, Mom said I did not pull many of the wanted plants out! To this day gardening is a real pleasure for me.
Sorry for the extra long post. It is hard to believe how much, all these years later, my mother's teaching of enjoying whatever work you are doing impacts my life. God is so good to us to give us such wonderful mothers!!
My children have helped me fold washclothes at an early age.
While I don't have a dishwasher and don't know if the newer ones are safer, I wanted to share a warning I have read-- that children can fall on the open rack and be hurt. I have read of a child being killed in this manner.
My little ones have always enjoyed helping sort clean clothes and carrying them to the correct rooms, also loading the washing machine, unloading the dishwasher, passing pegs when we hang washing outside during the summer, dusting 'helping' to vacuum. I totally agree with the reader who mentioned her own attitude to these chores. I find that if I am positive and cheerful about what I am doing, that rubs off on everyone else. Mothers truly do determine the atmosphere of the home. My eldest child is nearly 17, so I have been testing this theory for a long time!!. By the way I love your new layout etc.
I got my twin daughters (now 3) started as young as I could. I have always praised their efforts and remind them that we are keeping house nice for Daddy and us.
In the beginning, you must show them how to complete a task, and it's usually more time consuming and not done right. But that's not the point, as we all know. They are contributing to the family, and learning a lifeskill. And all the while spending time with you. If they want to help, let then do as much as they safely can - and be patient. You'll be surprised how quickly they learn.
Some things my girls do:
1. Put dirty clothes in their hamper as soon as they take them off(since they could walk).
2. Put toys and books in crates when play is done(since they could get them out).
3. Use a small, dollar store dustpan and brush to "sweep", then throw away the crumbs.
4. Use a damp towel to wipe the lower cabinets and sliding glass door.
5. Use a cloth or feather duster to dust anything in reach.
6. Put the napkins and silverware on the table before meals.
7. Put any dirty plastic dishes on the counter by the sink.
8. Help load and unload clothes in the washer and dryer (mine are frontloading).
9. Help put non-breakable items on the lower pantry shelves when we get home from grocery shopping.
10. Sort clean laundry and put items in the appropriate rooms (and in the drawers if they can reach them).
11. Put their shirts on hangers.
I got my twin daughters (now 3) started as young as I could. I have always praised their efforts and remind them that we are keeping house nice for Daddy and us.
In the beginning, you must show them how to complete a task, and it's usually more time consuming and not done right. But that's not the point, as we all know. They are contributing to the family, and learning a lifeskill. And all the while spending time with you. If they want to help, let then do as much as they safely can - and be patient. You'll be surprised how quickly they learn.
Some things my girls do:
1. Put dirty clothes in their hamper as soon as they take them off(since they could walk).
2. Put toys and books in crates when play is done(since they could get them out).
3. Use a small, dollar store dustpan and brush to "sweep", then throw away the crumbs.
4. Use a damp towel to wipe the lower cabinets and sliding glass door.
5. Use a cloth or feather duster to dust anything in reach.
6. Put the napkins and silverware on the table before meals.
7. Put any dirty plastic dishes on the counter by the sink.
8. Help load and unload clothes in the washer and dryer (mine are frontloading).
9. Help put non-breakable items on the lower pantry shelves when we get home from grocery shopping.
10. Sort clean laundry and put items in the appropriate rooms (and in the drawers if they can reach them).
11. Put their shirts on hangers.
My little brother is 19 months old, and he helps me unload the silverware basket from the dishwasher in the mornings. I remove all the sharp knives and peelers, and he takes his time pulling out one piece at a time and throwing it in the silverware drawer. Of course I have to go back and organize it when he's "done"-- but it keeps his hands busy while he learns to do a simple chore.
Oh, and I just remembered. When my littlest sister was about his age, she helped me load the dryer. As I took something out of the washer, I gave it to her to throw in the dryer. She loved it! I'll have to post some pictures of my little laundry helper this week on my blog : )
Oh, and another thing. When we fix salad, I like to give my 19 month brother a piece of lettuce and a bowl at his high chair, and he tears his own lettuce. (Of course he also slobbers on it, so it goes into the blender for his blended salad!)
Sorry for posting so many little comments, but I keep thinking of things as I'm reading other people's comments!
We usually start with little jobs like:
-folding washcloths
-If you have a dishwasher, putting the silverware away
-"dusting" (sometimes they don't do the best job *smile* but they do have fun with a wet rag!)
-putting the laundry into the washer / dryer
I'm sure these have already been mentioned, though.
Have fun teaching Kathrynne how to be a cheerful helper :-)
Wow! So many great comments on this. Thank you for your input. It was very helpful and inspiring!
Amy Best: Thank you for your kind encouragement. God bless you!
I good little job is making the bed (with your assitance if she can't do it alone). God bless you!
I don't know if anyone has suggested this or not, but I have my small ones dust! They like it and you just have to keep them away from breakables...They are the perfect size for dusting the baseboards!
My daughter has always liked to help with the silverware, both putting it in the dishwasher and putting them away...I also let her put in the plastic'non-breakable cups. I think she was about 18 mos when we strated this.
Another thing is putting the clothes into the dryer. I hand her an armload (for her) and she puts it in plus she's now big enough to push the button to start the dryer.
It's so great to have the help!
---Faith
I haven't read all of the responses, but here's what mine do at that age. My 3 children are currently 4 1/2, 2 1/2, and 10 months.
*Put items in the trash
*Put clothing in the hamper
*Get something for Mommy/Daddy
*Put something away
*Put clothes in dryer (I hand to them and they put it in)
*Sweep with dustpan and brush
*Carry his/her (nonbreakable) plate and silverware to the kitchen after eating
*Pick up toys
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