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monica
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 1:40am | IP Logged
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i have been trying bit by bit to move my just turned 4yo to more independence in certain tasks. He sets the table, gets himself dressed (with interesting results!!) gets his hat, shoes and coat on to go out, washes his hands, and of course, picks up his toys. i would like to have him do more things around the house, but sometimes he (and admittely, I) get frustrated when he cant do them *correctly* I know there is a learning curve with each new task and habit, i just dont want to ask him to do something that is developmentally ahead of him.
soooo, my question is what chores and responsibilities are appropriate for a 4yo boy to do?
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Molly Smith
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 5:04am | IP Logged
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Here are some things that have worked for us, with training and supervision:
helping me clean windows, glass doors
wipe bathroom sinks
wipe doors, door handles, door frames
wipe those vertical rails on the stair rails
(we use a lot of wipes, by the way  )
cleaning low cabinet doors
starting to fold laundry
help empty dishwasher
It has just happened in our house, that at this age the kiddos are usually doing something with me and aren't really ready to break out on their own with chores like folding laundry or cleaning toilets. The things above sound like busywork maybe. But little ones do gain so much confidence if anytime you have even the smallest task that they can do to set them off doing it. Like a 2yo fetching a roll of paper towels from the pantry, a 4yo running the electric sweeper, right up to the 8yo bringing out the trash.
I find it very frustrating (I tend to not be as patient as I should be) to teach new tasks. But over the years, and lots of trial and error with the older children, I've found that introducing small tasks, and building on them patiently and consistently is what pays off in the end.
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Kim F
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<<sometimes he (and admittely, I) get frustrated when he cant do them *correctly*>>
The practical life work was designed to help here. They can practice the skills needed to take care of themselves and their environment. Isolating the skills breaks them down into smaller increments and separates the skill building from the responsibility.
Some tray ideas would be:
a small mirror, spray,paper towels
napkins to fold (initially you can sew or write fold lines onto them)You can progress to towels and clothing
pouring trays (to work up to plant watering)
shoe polish,shoe brush,rag and a shoe
a whisk broom, dustpan, and dry pasta to dump and sweep progressing to a child size broom
sponge water transfer (prepares for wet clean-up)
dry trasfer trays to help prep for no-spill pet feeding
I have seen a small washing table set up on a low table or rubbermaid box with a dishpan of soapy water, sponge, and towel where they can wash their own dishes. A small trash can was set up nearby to scrape the plate first. I LOVE this idea but am trying to factor in the dog and baby who would also love this idea lol!
Kim
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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My now 5 year old had 3 jobs last year.
1 - He scrubbed both bathroom sinks with a long handled scrub brush, using liquid hand soap. He loved this job. I did have to clean them myself also though. It was mostly to get him used to doing chores.
2 - He matched and lined up the shoes in the entry way. When we come into our home we always take off our shoes. They often are left in a big pile on the rug. Ds's job was to match them and line them up against the wall so they looked a little neater.
3 - He got the mail each day. We live on a country road with the mail box out by the driveway entrance. Since we get little to no traffic I let him get it, while I keep watch at the window. I have to admit, for the first few months I sent his big brother with him to make sure he understood not to go into the street etc.
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Jane Ramsey
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| Posted: Feb 12 2007 at 1:56pm | IP Logged
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My almost-5-yr-old likes to help:
wipe down the table
sweep (though of course he doesn't do it very well yet)
transfer clothes (with help) from the washer to dryer
make his own sandwiches (I set out the ingredients)
butter his own toast
pass out cookies, crackers, etc to the little ones
These things are done intermittently--mostly when I feel like I have the patience to help him "help" me!
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vmalott
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My 4 yo loves to help 'fold' the laundry. He especially enjoys folding the napkins, which is now 'his' job. We also have a small carpet sweeper he enjoys using. A spray bottle and some paper towels are great for windows, doors, lightswitches. He's now working towards making his bed...we do it really easy around here with comforters and the pillow on top. He also will feed the cats and the fish (with help) when I ask him to. He feels a sense of pride in having some responsibilities.
I know about that frustration. I think what helps is to look at it as his school work, and not just chores...ya know? That helps me when I'm feeling impatient with the younger ones. After showing them and then having them do it with help, they get the hang of it and are able to go it alone. Children this age *want* to contribute what they can do to the family and home, so it's best to take a little time to help them along so it becomes second nature for them. (I learned this the hard way.)
Valerie
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Mom to Julia ('94), John ('96), Lizzy ('98), Connor ('01), Drew ('02), Cate ('04), Aidan ('08) and three saints in heaven
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: what chores appropriate for a 4yo?
