Jobs for Kids - Kleinburg Integrative Health

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Age Appropriate Jobs for Kids

Dr. Susan Slipacoff, ND
September 2021

Where did this summer go! Hopefully you made the best of it and filled your time with many happy memories. September has a lot to offer too though with the beautiful fresh air, chance to go to farmers markets, apple picking and getting back into a healthy daily routine. With school starting, it’s also a great time to get your child into a positive routine and offer a helping hand around the house. It’s really a win-win because it helps you, the parent, out and it also teaches them about responsibility and appreciation. In fact, research has shown that children thrive on routines and encouraging them to do chores around the house actually helps to bring out the best in them in many other ways.

Here are some jobs for kids categorized by age, from the positive parenting solutions website, www.positiveparentingsolutions.com:

18 months – 3 years:

Turn off lights while being carried
Help put groceries away
Carry in the newspaper or mail
Fold washcloths
Get own cereal or snack from kid-friendly containers
Take clothes out the dryer and put into a basket
Pick up toys and clothes
Put plastic dishes in the dishwasher

4-6 years old (All the above, plus more)

Get up in the morning with an alarm clock
Put dishes in the dishwasher
Help find and count grocery items in the store
Measure soap for dishwasher and start cycle
Fold towels
Sort white clothes from dark ones for laundry
Prepare simple breakfast/lunch and clean up
Transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer
Help measure ingredients

7-10 years old (All of the previous jobs, plus more)

Bathe younger siblings (with you present in the case of very young siblings)
Help wash and vacuum the car
Wash and dry the dishes
Fix snacks, salads and light meals
Help read recipes
Run washing machine and dryer
Fold their clothes and put clean laundry away
Change sheets on the bed
Pack lunch for school
Read to younger siblings
Rake leaves

11-15 years old (All of the above, plus more)

Baby sit (with proper training)
Plan route for family outings in consultation with driver
Prepare full family meal 1 day per week
More detailed house cleaning – refrigerator, toilet, shower
Buy groceries from a list
Wash and wax the car
Mow lawn, rake leaves and spread mulch
Total responsibility for family pets
Plant garden and flowers at change of season
Laundry start to finish

16-18 years old (All of the above, plus more)

Run errands
Take care of house/garden/car
Maintain car
Help with family budget
Handle their own budget and bank account
Plan holiday decorating and events

Not only will getting your kids to engage with some of these household tasks help them to build a sense of responsibility and usefulness, it can also be relationship building when you are able to cook together and create beautiful gardens. Go to www.positiveparentingsolutions.com for many more tips on ways to positive parent and help your child grow to be the best person they can be.

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