3-5 years
Level 2
I can’t say any age is my favorite because they ALL are my favorite. There is just something unique and enjoyable about every stage of development!
You will begin to transition from directly supervising your child to indirect supervision. That’s to say that you will be transitioning from needing to be present to assigning a task and allowing them to do it independently. It is important to take your time (you have three years) and talk through the processes. Cleaning can be fun. I have included some great games in many of the posts so that you can enjoy the process. As a pastor once told me, “The Process Is the Product.”
Prework required! But oh, how it pays off! They will learn this one quickly because it is about them. 5 minutes tops!
Age
Start at: 3 years
Frequency
When they are thirsty and hungry (parents set boundaries)
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Invest in kid-size hangers. Expect a good bit of training time and then it should take them 10 minutes after each load.
Age
Start at: 3 1/4 years
Frequency
after each activity
Practice Duration
2-3 months
When you are preparing a meal or for snack time. No more than 10 minutes at a time.
Age
Start at: 3 1/2 years
Frequency
upon generating trash
Practice Duration
2-3 months
When you feed your animal(s), they can help. With you supervising, they can accomplish the job within 5 minutes.
Age
Start at: 3 3/4 years
Frequency
Each time you feed your pet(s)
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Excellent habit in no more than 10 minutes per day!
Age
Start at: 4 years
Frequency
each day after getting up
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Depending on the number of small trash cans, 10 minutes is a ballpark for about three trashcans.
Age
Start at: 4 1/4 years
Frequency
once per week on "Trash Day Eve"
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Pick some things that need wiping and let them go. If they want to do more, let them. Otherwise, plan on 10 minutes of work.
Age
Start at: 4 1/2 years
Frequency
10 minutes a day
Practice Duration
2-3 months
You’re going to want a child-size broom for this. Once they get the hang of it, sweeping just one room daily is super helpful!
Age
Start at: 4 3/4 years
Frequency
one room per day
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Any kind of damp mop works well. 5-10 minutes per day. (Keep it to 1 room)
Age
Start at: 5 years
Frequency
one room per day
Practice Duration
2-3 months
YES! Your children can help with gathering trash and items that don’t belong in the car. Done in just 10 minutes.
Age
Start at: 5 1/4 years
Frequency
daily after arriving at home or weekly
Practice Duration
2-3 months
Do some prep work and when you get home with groceries you will have a very attentive helper for about 10 minutes.
Age
Start at: 5 1/2 years
Frequency
when you get home from the grocery store
Practice Duration
2-3 months
This activity helps children understand the overall process of laundry and helps you too. 5- 10 minutes in between laundry loads.
Age
Start at: 5 3/4 years
Frequency
In between loads of laundry
Practice Duration
2-3 months