Let’s talk chores for toddlers. Wait- what? Toddlers can do chores? Yes, it’s amazing that your often-defiant, needs-to-be-watched-every-moment little ball of energy can be helpful!
In my experience, toddlers generally want to be helpful. They delight in imitating the things they see you do each day. Assigning small, age-appropriate chores for toddlers help them feel a sense of belonging and accomplishment within the family. As they learn to work, they gain confidence and purpose.
In fact, author Lynne Azarchi in her new book, The Empathy Advantage: Coaching Children to be Kind, Respectful, and Successful, makes the argument that enlisting toddlers to be helpful in the home is one of the first steps to coaching a child to have empathy and become a kind and respectful individual. I couldn’t agree more!
Azarchi provides a refreshing list of 11 easy, age-appropriate chores for toddlers that your little gal or guy will probably think are loads of fun! The list is pulled straight from her book, but the comments below are my own experience as momma of four – including currently one very spunky two year old who is already beginning to do her chores!
11 Easy Chores for Toddlers
Chores for Toddlers #1: Dusting using old, mismatched socks
I love this idea! My little one loves to help dust. And while she may not actually be accomplishing much, she’s having great fun trying! Old socks work so well because they stay on little hands and don’t get dropped somewhere. Brilliant idea!
Chores for Toddlers #2: Putting away folded laundry
This is a chore for toddlers that they will really enjoy! Little ones love the game of put-it-in and take-it-out, so just watch out or your little one may pull all the clothes out of the drawer right after he puts everything away. If he does, then you get to play put-it-in again!
Chores for Toddlers #3: Picking up dirty clothes
A wonderful job for young toddlers is to learn to put dirty clothes in the hamper. Azarchi recommends taking it one step further by having toddler sort the dirty clothes by color before loading them into the washing machine. A similar chore, if your toddler is still wearing diapers, is to have your little one throw their diapers in the trash.
Chores for Toddlers #4: Picking up toys and books
Toddlers can easily learn, over time, that there is a place for everything. When parents have a designated place for books and a special place for toys, young children will learn that each item has a place and should return to the same spot each time.
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Chores for Toddlers #5: Cleaning up their own messes
When toddlers spill their milk or dump their Cheerios all over the floor, hand them a rag and let them help with the clean-up. This will help them learn to take responsibility for their own messes. In her book, Azarchi suggests singing to the tune of Mulberry Bush while cleaning up messes, “This is the way I clean up the spill, clean up the spill, clean up the spill. This is the way I clean up the spill, and make everything so clean.”
Chores for Toddlers #6: Sweeping the floor
A fun chore for toddlers is sweeping the floor! You can purchase child-sized brooms and children will happily sweep alongside of you. My toddler loves to use a mini hand-held brush broom and a tiny dustpan. I sweep up the big piles and she comes running after me to sweep the piles into her dustpan. What a helper!
Chores for Toddlers #7: Unloading the dishwasher
If you use plastic or shatter-proof dishware, your toddler will delight in helping to unload the dishwasher! Even if you tend to use more breakable dishes, your toddler can start by putting away the spoons. Pretty soon, she will be sorting all of the silverware and putting it away all by herself!
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Chores for Toddlers #8: Carrying and putting away groceries
Little ones get a special satisfaction from carrying small burdens that to them are SO BIG! Let your toddler help you unload the groceries and pull the items from their bags, especially items like paper towel rolls and toilet paper that won’t be damaged if dropped.
Chores for Toddlers #9: Setting the table
At a very young age, toddlers can begin to help with this family chore. Let your toddler start by placing a napkin at each place. In my experience, it helps tremendously if you use place-mats instead of a tablecloth because it defines each person’s space. Pretty soon, your toddler can begin to set out spoons and then other silverware or carry plastic bowls to each place.
Chores for Toddlers #10: Taking care of the family pet
A fun chore for toddlers is feeding the family’s pet. Your little one will enjoy giving them just the right amount of food (with momma’s help, of course!) and water, too. Even a very young child feels a deep satisfaction caring for other living beings.
Chores for Toddlers #11: Washing the car
Hand your toddler a sponge next time you wash the car and let him scrub alongside of you! I guarantee your guy will have fun splashing in the water, but if it seems like too daunting of a task, Azarchi suggests letting him wash his tricycle instead! Fun!
Helping Hands Chores for Toddlers
From putting away laundry to picking up toys, there are so many ways each day that your toddler can learn to be helpful! Contributing to the care of the home is an empathy-related behavior according to author Lynne Azarchi, and will boost your child’s emotional intelligence as well as promote responsibility and independence. Plus, research has shown that toddlers who learn how to help around the house are more likely to be helpful when they are older, too.
A song we like to sing in our home when the littles are cleaning is to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell:
A helper I will be, A helper I will be, There's wok to do, There's work to do, In our family.
Toddlers are busy! As parents, we can help them direct that energy into something positive and helpful. Since there are so many opportunities to work in small chores for toddlers throughout the day, don’t let the next one pass!
What other chores for toddlers do you recommend? I’d love to hear your comments!
For more practical ideas about helping your child develop empathy at every age level, check out The Empathy Advantage: Coaching Children to be Kind, Respectful, and Successful by Lynne Azarchi
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