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Age-Appropriate Chores Nannies Can Give Children

Age-Appropriate Chores Nannies Can Give Children

Carrying out household chores is a tradition every family is able observe. The act of treating tasks as if they are real work can help teach kids valuable lessons, including responsibility, accountability, honesty, and even managing personal finances! 

In general, children (like adults) want to contribute to their environment or community. Having them complete chores will empower them and give them a feeling of accomplishment. These kind of life skills are not generally taught in schools - so your home can be the perfect place to develop these skills. 

 

Tips when getting started:

Don’t expect things to be perfect. Kids tend to perform better in a more relaxed environment. As nannies, you may be tempted to jump in and do the chore for them. Doing so will undermine the reasons why you’re asking your children to do tasks - let your charge do his or her thing!

Start early. Many families and nannies think children are too young to do chores. However, experts say kids are capable of doing a lot of chores at an early stage. Simple tasks such as putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket or bringing the dishes to the sink after dinner will jumpstart their learning experience. 

Praise and encourage. Children need a positive momentum to perform at full capacity. Praising and encouraging them while they are completing their tasks fosters a well-energised environment.

 

Age-Appropriate Chores for Children of All Ages

2-year olds

  • Picking up toys. This teaches young children to clean up after themselves. Designating a basket will make it easier for your charge to complete the chore. 
  • Washing vegetables. This chore can introduce your children to the kitchen and will teach them one of the most important steps in preparing meals. 

3 to 4-year olds

  • Wiping up dust or spills. Give children a cloth and ask them to wipe down dust or spills in areas that you have trouble reaching such as the baseboards and lower shelves. 
  • Sorting groceries. Have the kids identify the items you bought from the grocery as you unpack them. Nannies could also teach kids where to place the products. 
  • Making the bed. At this age, children who are no longer sleeping in a crib should learn how to make their own bed. Have them straighten their pillows and cover the bed. 

5 to 6-year olds

  • Feeding pets. Have the kids scoop food into their pet’s bowl in the morning and at night. Additionally, ask your charges to monitor the water bowl and fill it when needed. 
  • Organising their clothing. Ask your charges to sort their clothing and see which items fit and which could be given away. 

7-year olds

  • Helping in the kitchen. Children should be taught how to set the table and clean up after every meal. Nannies who want to introduce kids to meal prep and healthy living can also have them assist in cooking.
  • Sweeping floors. Keep the house clean by teaching the children how to use the broom or the vacuum to sweep the floors. 
  • Raking leaves and tidying the garden. Make yard work a fun activity every weekend by giving everyone a task, including watering the plants and pulling the weeds. This system helps foster teamwork skills. 

Children aged 8 and above

  • Basic budgeting. Teach the children how to plan a budget by asking them to list necessary items for the house. Have them look up the prices for each item and determine which products would be worth buying.
  • Washing the car. Most kids love activities that involve soap, bubbles, and a lot of water. Having the children wash the car saves a little money (that maybe the charges can pocket) and gives kids some quick exercise while having fun. 


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Teaching children life skills is essential in helping them become independent and responsible. This can be accomplished by having daily routines in place.  Here are the six most important skills every nanny should develop in their children.