From the time that they are two, children can already help you around the house. Nowadays, parents struggle with getting their teenagers to contribute to household tasks. It is an ongoing battle. Other parents worry that children should just focus on their homework instead of being distracted by chores or daily routines. Some think children are too young and incapable of completing tasks such as chores. Finally, many parents feel guilty that they are using their children as child laborers.

There are multiple benefits in teaching children to help out around the house from the time that they are young. It is of a great disservice to our children to not prepare them early on to contribute to the family.

It is essential to start young, when children are willing to participate and help out. When they are 2 to 4 years of age, children love to imitate us and help us out. They like to please us and do things with us. They do not see chores as chores. Even the word itself has grown to have a negative connotation with older kids. By starting young, they incorporate doing chores as part of their daily life. In the same way, that they include habits of personal hygiene. It is just something we do as a family. No questions asked.

Below you will find a list of the many benefits of getting children involved in household chores, daily tasks or routines:

POSITIVE VALUES

It teaches them to be responsible.
It is habit forming.
By starting young, you avoid battles during adolescence, and it teaches them compliance. They learn that it is part of your families values.
It fosters gratitude.
It develops empathy and kindness.

Gina Madrigrano, Ph.D. ©

Children who help out don't tend to be lazy or entitled.
They become helpful individuals.
They appreciate you better because they experience the efforts involved in taking care of a house, meals, people, and pets.
You do not need to worry when they go on sleepovers or visits that they will not help out or pick up after themselves.
They will voluntarily offer to help you when they see that you are overwhelmed and busy.
It is a value they will carry over into their adult life.

LIFE SKILLS

It teaches time management and prioritizing.
Different chores develop different skills at different ages (e.g., sorting, dexterity, patience, impulse control, organizational skills, planning, prioritizing, etc.).
It teaches life skills (e.g., cooking, baking, cleaning, cleanliness, hygiene, doing laundry and dishes, fold clothes, declutter, etc.).
It teaches them about life in a realistic way and about daily obligations.
It becomes part of their daily routine and reduces the need for discipline, repeating, and begging or bribing.
It prepares them for real life when they are ready to move out.
It fosters independence and resourcefulness.
Doing chores or helping out can be used as opportunities to learn about math, science, measurements, etc.
They grow up to become well-rounded, self-sufficient adults.
It is something they can do if they are bored instead of complaining.
When they start young, not only do they learn it is part of life, later as teens, you do not need to bribe them with money or threaten to take away privileges, which ends up backfiring on you.

SELF ESTEEM & WELLBEING

It builds their self-esteem and confidence.
They are proud of themselves when they accomplish a task and bring it to its completion.
Children love to help, and they feel good about themselves for doing so.

Gina Madrigrano, Ph.D. ©

It fosters happiness. It is a known fact that one trait of happy people is their ability to help out on a regular basis.
It reduces clutter, which in turn reduces stress and anxiety, and it improves focus in the process.
It teaches them to live in a clean environment and the benefits that come with it.
It teaches them to become conscious individuals (of themselves, others and the environment).
It instills rhythms in their lives, and rhythms foster safety and security.
Young children (2 to 4 years-old) see helping out as an activity, not a chore. It is the best time to start. They love helping out.
It is another chance, in your busy schedule, to bond and connect with your children.

SENSE OF COMMUNITY

It teaches them cooperation.
It teaches them how to live in a community and how to be respectful of other people's space.
It teaches children to be intrinsically motivated to help people rather than being motivated by externals such as money or a reward.
They make better roommates and spouses.
It helps you out, and it frees up your time.
They become helpful children and help outside of your house as well.

RESPECT

It teaches them that each thing has its place, thus saving time and effort when they search for something later on.
It teaches them the value of hard work and money.
It teaches them to respect their belongings and those of others.
It teaches them about rules and compliance: that is just the way it is.

GETTING ORGANIZED

It teaches them organizational skills (with schoolwork, their rooms, sports bags, their toys, etc.).

Gina Madrigrano, Ph.D. ©

If you get them to do a chore before school, it reduces the morning battle of getting them out of the house. They look forward to leaving.
It teaches them to get their rooms, the house, their school bags organized
It keeps your house clean and clutter free.

I am sure that there are many more benefits I could come up with that are offshoots of what I have already listed. When incorporated early on, there is no negative consequence to getting your child involved in chores or daily routines. Most importantly, it is never too late to start.

In my private practice, I witness a difference between the children that help out from those who do not. Not surprisingly, when their children hit the teenage years, parents are grateful that they taught their kids to help out.

Gina Madrigrano, Ph.D. ©