Both boys and girls must learn to do housework at home. It is necessary that they do them because in addition to promoting cleanliness and order at home (and in their mind) they will also be learning great values and life lessons. Many parents wonder if their children should do chores at home or if it is better not to say anything to them and thus avoid unnecessary conflicts. After all, isn't it the parents' responsibility to run the home? And don't kids need a chance to 'just be kids'?
Many children today have too busy schedules, they lack time between so many homework and extracurricular activities. When they get home they are very tired… Actually putting too many extracurricular activities is too much for them, they must have more time to be children without so many obligations of that type.
Instead, housework is non-negotiable and no time should be saved out there. Children who do housework learn responsibility and gain important life skills that will serve them throughout their growth.
Benefits of housework for children
Children feel competent when they do their homework. Whether they are making their beds or sweeping the floor, helping around the house gives them a sense of accomplishment. Doing chores also helps children feel like part of the team. Helping family members is good for them and encourages them to be good citizens.
Research from a well-known 75-year Harvard study examined which psychosocial variables and biological processes early in life predict health and well-being later in life. The researchers found that children who were given homework became more independent adults.
It's never too early to start getting your kids to do housework, and it's never too late if they've never done it before. You need to be aware of their importance in order to instill these values in your children. Next you will discover the appropriate tasks for children and adolescents, depending on the age group they belong to right now.
Housework for preschoolers
Preschoolers (ages 3 to 6) can be given simple tasks that do not involve going after them once they have learned to do it. The most common chore includes picking up his toys every day. They can also begin to learn how to clean up their room and put their dishes away after a meal. These types of tasks teach them that they should be responsible with their own things.
Young children respond well to dot tables because they remind them of what their homework should be. Preschoolers don't normally read, picture task charts are a good idea to make them easier to remember. A sticker with a smiley face can be a good incentive for young children, although older children will need the sticker in addition, some reward to increase motivation.
Housework for school-age children
When children are of school age (6 to 12 years old), their responsibility for housework will progressively increase as they age. Children at this age should get on with their chores. It will serve to increase their self-esteem, to have a sense of achievement, to live knowing how important it is and what it has to be part of a team (the family) with responsibilities each. It will also help them to feel satisfied with a job well done and they will understand the importance of living in order and leaving chaos (also mental) aside.
Teach your children to put away their shoes, their backpacks, their clothes, to clean their bedroom, etc. As the tasks become more complex, teach them step by step how to do each task. For example, if you wait for a child to remove his clothes, show him where to put the clothes and talk about his expectations. Congratulate your children on their efforts and encourage them to keep practicing. Don't expect perfection, just expect effort.
Housework for Tweens
Between the ages of 11 and 13 it is very important to continue housework. This stage overlaps with the end of the previous one but it is important to keep it in mind. There is no need to reward a tween for every task you complete. Picking up and cleaning your room, for example, are part of helping the family and at these ages it should not be rewarded, far from it. It should be part of your day to day, part of your daily routines.
Rewards may be present when you perform tasks in addition to yours assigned as routine. For example, when you take out the trash for a whole week and mow the lawn. A token economy system is ideal for these ages. Allow your child to earn chips and when he accumulates a specific number, he can change them for example: spend more time with friends, extra time with electronic devices, a family movie afternoon, etc.
Housework for teens
Teens need assignments that prepare them for the real world, and they must learn to do them for themselves. They have great capacities and parents must promote that autonomy, although at first they are somewhat reluctant to carry them out. Assign tasks like preparing meals, cleaning the bathroom, mowing the lawn, or doing laundry. These life skills will be important after high school so your teen can live independently ... You can also teach them to cook!
You can give him a small weekly allowance for doing extra chores like cooking, but never give it to him for doing his rightful things like cleaning his bedroom, doing the dishes, or cleaning different parts of the house as appropriate according to the family cleaning plan. . This small allowance can also help you learn to manage money.