10 Chores for Preschoolers

When it comes to cleaning up around the house, we typically make it a team effort, some of us find it necessary to survive the week, others of us find it necessary to make their spouse happy, and other's are all in (Jonah, 4 years old). That kid loves to clean, but his attention span is that of, well, a 4 year old. As it should be. He gets "tired" really easily when doing chores. *insert eye roll emoji*

Recently, I was sick and extremely busy (at the same time) for about three weeks straight and during that time a few things had gotten a little out of control, especially in our playroom. I pride myself on that being one of the most organized rooms in the house. Thanks to some hard work on from my sister and me a few months ago. Everything has a place in there and the boys know where things go. Ezra has also entered the age where he just goes into a bin and dumps everything out immediately walking away never to play with it again. So, today we tackled it ALL. Everything went back in their bins, on their shelves, and matched with their partners. Hallelujah! At one point Jonah said to me, "I know why you tell us we can only get one thing out at a time." It felt like fireworks went off. I wanted to scream at him "SEEEE!!!! You know I'm always right!!!" but of course, I didn't. I just said "yyeaaahhh, it's hard to pick up all this stuff at once, huh?" So, tonight before bed I made him (and Ezra) put up toys and I agreed to one train track and some toys to sleep with, but everything else went back in it's home for the night. I walked in the room and the floor was clean. Its been a while and it feels so good.

Besides his great realization today, there are some other things that my little four year old really gets and likes to do, that really do help me. For the past year or more, he's done tasks that help but they were more like training to be helpful in the future, but at 4 1/2, he's getting the hang of a few things that I don't have to totally redo once he's done. Now, even if I did have to go after him, I'd still let him do them because I am planning for our future.

I am came up with a list of 10 Chores Preschoolers can be introduced to and eventually master. 

1. Pick up toys. This seems obvious but I don't just mean, pick them up and throw them in the closet. With a little time on our part, every toy in our playroom has a home and the toys are divided into groups, Paw Patrol toys have a bin, Super Heroes and Ninja Turtles have a bin, Ezra's tools, monster trucks, magnatiles and magformers share a basket, Legos, everything has a place and most have a bin or basket to go in. The kids can see what items are already in the basket and determine if the toy they are picking up also belongs in there or they just remember this basket belongs to those toys. This has been a lifesaver.

2. Put dirty laundry in the hamper. Jonah as well as Ezra (at 18 months) know where their laundry bin is in their closet and where the laundry room is in the house. They know that their dirty clothes (ezra sometimes needs help with dirty vs clean) go and will sometimes put them there without having to be reminded, but I don't mind reminding at this age. 

3. Put away laundry. I do not ask my preschooler to put away whole stacks of clothing, rather, I ask him to do the things he feels confident doing. He adds socks to his sock bin in his closet and puts his underwear away because we just stack it, there's no folding involved. He occasionally can put 1-2 clothing items away depending on where they go. This is certainly something we will master before he turns 5, hopefully. 

4. Gather dishes from around the house. Most dishes that travel around the house are plastic or non-breakable, so it's typically safe to ask my preschooler to "go to mommy's room and bring me any cups you see" while I'm loading the dish washer. 

5. Throw away trash. This seems super simple, but I will tell you my 18 month old throws away his trash better than my 4 1/2 year old. He will put trash on the counter right across from the trash can. 

6. Bus their own plates/bowls. This is another simple one, but one we need to work on! 

7. Get the newspaper or mail. With supervision, your preschooler can help you bring in mail, packages, or newspapers left in the driveway. I have found that letting him help with these tasks encourages me on a busy day to remember to do them. 

8. Water Plants. My kid's favorite task typically. He also likes to help me plant (by digging the holes of course) and who doesn't have a great time with a watering can or watering hose? 

9. Take care of pets. Jonah often helps me by feeding the dog when we come in in the evenings. He can also let him out/in the door to the back yard. 

10. Light vacuuming. Both of my children are obsessed with the vacuum cleaner, so I tend to let them help when I can. With 3 carpeted rooms and a huge rug in our living room, we need to vacuum often. These guys are all over that! Some vacuums can be too cumbersome or heavy for a four year old, but we tried the new BISSELL PowerForce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum and it's so light weight even my four year old can use it!

Light weight and inexpensive is a great combo for us right now. The kids can use it and I don't feel like they are going to break it! BISSELL PowerForce Helix has some powerful suction with the Helix Dirt Separation System so that the machine's pick up performance will endure lots of use. There is typically no need to empty mid cleaning either with the large capacity Easy Empty™ Dirt Cup. I would definitely recommend this product to moms with wild-mess-making-chidren who might be interested in helping around the house and especially to college student or families that camp a lot in an RV. This vacuum feels like you could take it anywhere!

***GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. WAITING ON BRAND FOR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS. WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED INDIVIDUALLY.***

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