The Benefits of Age-Appropriate Chores for Little Ones (Plus, a Chore Chart)

How do you raise children who happily do chores? One way is to start at a young age. Not only does doing chores help the home run smoothly, but it also offers many other benefits to your child. From better thinking skills to hand-eye coordination, doing chores builds essential skills for children.  

Learn more about the benefits of chores for children and the best age-appropriate chores to try with your child. 

5 Benefits of Chores for Children

Sometimes, parents might think, “It’s faster if I just do the chores myself,” or “Children should enjoy their childhood.” Yet, children crave to become an important part of the family. Plus, you can boost your child’s mental health, academic skills, and more, all by doing chores. 

Practical Skills for Independence
Life skills are what help children achieve independence. Dr. Montessori believed life skills like chores were so important that she created a curriculum area called Practical Life. 

“I want to do it all by myself!” is a common phrase said by little ones, determined to do things on their own. From putting on their shoes to washing dishes and sweeping, young children like to be independent. As Dr. Montessori said, “Little children, from the moment in which they are weaned, are making their way toward independence.” In other words, children have a natural drive to become independent. 

Achieving independence helps children feel more capable and empowered. Instead of asking for help, they can get their own snack, wash their hands independently, or clean up a mess. These small steps toward independence are essential for your child as they grow. 

Responsibility
Doing chores can also help your child build a sense of responsibility. To raise a child who contributes to society, learning responsibility is essential. In fact, research published by Harvard showed that people who do chores as children are better able to work in groups as adults. 

Self-esteem and Confidence
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry says that children who do chores may have improved self-esteem. When your child can contribute to the household, they feel capable, proud, and confident in their abilities.

You may see this happen in real time when your child completes a chore. For example, after helping prepare a meal, children often comment, “I helped make that!” at the table. Or, if your child cleans their room, they might ask you to come see. These small moments of success when doing chores can build your child’s confidence and sense of self-worth. 

Executive Function
Executive function refers to a group of skills we use to plan and carry out tasks like chores. Doing chores often involves multiple steps and planning. For example, before you sweep the floor, you need to get the broom and dustpan. Then, you need to think about how to sweep best. You might sweep from one end of the room to the other or make a plan to get around chairs and tables. 

When children do chores, they practice and improve these essential planning and thinking skills. Research supports the idea that doing chores can build executive function. 

Concentration
To complete chores, children must work on a task until completion. This requires concentration,  something young children must practice and develop. Chores can help children build their concentration skills.