photo by Jer Kunz
Summer is coming. There will be a break and during that time we are child training.
Even though we are homeschooling “year round” this year, I have planned several breaks over the summer. I have also planned to lighten our studies by half in favor of outside play and family time. But, just because we aren’t hitting the books doesn’t mean there won’t be learning– I have a list of new chores and skills I want my girls to master this summer.
I believe that children need to be trained to do the chores they are responsible for. Sometimes jobs require only minimal training, for example, the hamper. “When this is half full, it is your job to bring it to the laundry room.” Easy, right?
But what about sorting laundry? Would you hand over a basket mixed with whites and reds and dark blues and say, “Sort these out and wash and dry them?” No. You know that showing a child how to sort laundry, letting them ask questions about what is considered “dark” or “red enough,” is important not only for preserving the colors of your clothing, but also for giving the child the confidence to do their task well.
Over the summer, I have more free time with my children, so I use this time to train them in new tasks or chores I want them to be responsible for over the next year. This way, when the school year rolls around in the fall, they are competent in their task, and I do not have to train them while we very busy with life and school. It also helps them to get into a routine right away of doing the new tasks during the day.
To make the most of this time, I make a list of each family member’s current responsibilities. Then I evaluate if they should still be responsible for those tasks, or if some of the lighter tasks should be moved down to the children (or in larger families, younger children). I also add any new tasks (pets, plants, etc.).
At age 4-5, Bels is responsible for:
- Her own personal body care (hair, teeth, baths, etc.)
- Bringing dirty laundry and towels to the laundry room
- Setting and clearing the table
- Picking up her own toys
- Feeding and watering the dog
- Folding dishtowels and washcloths
- Putting shirts, pants and dresses on hangers and putting them in the closet
- Putting her and her sister’s clean, folded laundry away
Over the summer, I will train Ava (age 3) to set and clear the table independently, to bring all the dirty laundry to the laundry room, and to fold dishtowels and washcloths. In turn, Bels will learn some new chores- sorting non-sharp silverware, sweeping, matching socks, folding bath towels, using a hand held vacuum for small messes, and watering the plants.
To some, the idea of “training” children to do chores might sound silly. I challenge you to try it. You may be surprised what younger children can (and are thrilled to!) do when they are just showed how, given encouragement, corrected as needed and given responsibility. Even older children can take on tasks like cleaning out the car, getting the oil changed, planning the week’s menu, or weeding a garden.
Please don’t misunderstand, I do not support the idea of children becoming enslaved and running the household. I do however, believe that it is our job to prepare our own children to be able to run and care for their own households. As homeschoolers, we are blessed to have our children see us do most everything. If we choose, they can become involved in the process and be even more prepared when they become adults.
What chores would you most like to teach your children to do? What chores do they currently do?
Melissa can be found writing at HopeSprouts Homeschool.
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Summer is a great time to master new skills! I’m pretty new to all of this, so thanks for the idea. Our 8 yr old helps unload the dishwasher and load it, helps feed and water the dogs, helps with laundry, take out the trash and sets the table. Our 5 year old, makes his bed, cleans up his own toys, puts away his laundry, bathes himself, helps set the table and clear it, and helps with the dog.
I’d like to help our 8 year old (who has autism) master brushing teeth and bathing and getting dressed on his own this summer, he is really close to doing it on his own, so I don’t think this will be too difficult.
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Great idea. I agree that it in the child’s best interest to teach/train them to contribute to the family in these simple ways EARLY.
My two year old has a couple of responsabilities: pluck grapes. She stands at the kitchen counter (on a stool) and pulls all of the grapes off of the stem. She knows that the squishy ones go in the sink and when she is done the stems go in the garbage. She loves it!
She also has the job of stacking toilet paper under the bathroom sink. I prefer to store the without the plastic wrapping so they are “ready to roll.”
My four year old is the tidy up man. Some days he gets a real charge out of it and cleans every room. He is currently learning how to fold towels and wash clothes. He has others that are similar to yours… no need to explain they are the simple obvious tasks that a four year old can handle.
Oh! Another one they love in the summer is filling the bird feeder! Yes bird see does get spilled but the birds still get it either way.
I think this is a wonderful idea. I am planning on working on training my kids in chores, character, and habits this summer.
My children are trained in many chores – WHEW!! But we find it tough to add new ones when we are so busy with homeschooling. Taking a break to work on a new skill is a great idea! Thanks!
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