Families For Life | Household Chores for Children and Teenagers

Establishing consistent and predictable routines for children’s sleep, meals, play and other activities forms a stable foundation for their learning and development.

Another effective way is to involve them in appropriate household chores from around two years old. It develops children’s concentration and focus and strengthens their motor skills. It also fosters a sense of responsibility and builds self-esteem as they gain confidence in their abilities.

Here are some household chores to support children’s holistic development:

• Sorting and folding clean laundry sharpen children’s organisational and fine motor skills. Children aged two to three can match socks, while those aged four and above can sort the laundry by family member and fold clothes.

• Dusting spaces involves breaking down tasks sequentially (e.g. working in sections) and promotes visual memory and problem-solving skills. Two- to three-year-olds can dust clear spaces such as low tables and chairs, while older children can clean areas that require small items to be removed and put back.

• Taking out the trash regularly. Suitable for children aged four and above, this chore helps them understand the concept of recurring schedules.