Heart to Heart: Appropriate Jobs for Children (Beginning at Age One)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Appropriate Jobs for Children (Beginning at Age One)

Young children love to mimic their parents and help with jobs, so the earlier parents teach their children to be helpers at home, the more eager little ones will be to learn. The work ethic will become part of a child's character, so that needs cultivated very early as they mature. Children who are taught how to work in their homes are much better able to manage their own home when they leave the nest, including being more efficient, organized and respectfully sanitary during their college experience.

His skills or lack of them will follow him into marriage as well. So, parents, we have our work cut out for us, as we teach our growing children the basics of doing many small jobs as little tykes, and as they grow older, gradually moving up the ladder to more difficult tasks, all in the name of child training. Parents who teach their children to work in the home soon reap the rewards of having help with all aspects of running the home and creating increased harmony in the home.

A one or two year old might go along with you to the newspaper box, and as you lift him up to reach the newspaper, he can help by pulling it out. A word of caution about having young children get the mail or newspaper alone, depending where you live. No matter where you live, be watching as a young child leaves your front door. If crossing the street is a factor in getting your mail or newspaper, the age would need to be changed, of course. Use your own discretion on this.

You will notice the last job listed for a two to three year old. And, yes, a two year old is fully capable of vacuuming with a Swivel Sweeper, if he is able to walk. This is a light and cordless vacuum that uses a rechargeable battery and does a very good job at picking up surface dirt. Our grandson loved vacuuming the beach house where our family stayed after he had just turned two, and he did a great job. We were amazed! Your toddlers will surprise you at how willing and capable they are to do many jobs, under your supervision.

First show your child how to do a job, with him watching. Secondly, have him help, and thirdly, have him do the job himself while you watch.

Be gentle in correcting and guiding, rather than being critical. Soon he will be capable of doing the job without your watching! The best part is that after you take the time to teach your children to do these jobs well, they will have learned a lifelong skill and you will reap the benefits many times over!

Ages 1 to 2

Pick up paper and put in wastecan

Help pick up toys

Take own personal dirty clothes to hamper

Be a "gopher" (They love going to get things for you.)

Ages 2 to 3

All of the above, plus:
Pick up toys

Hang clothes on hooks

Carry dirty laundry to the laundry area

Carry clean laundry from laundry area

Get a diaper for baby sibling

Help feed animals