Updated:: Nov 7, 2018
Original:: Dec 11, 2009

How to Teach Your Kids to Help with Chores

Are you constantly picking up your kids’ clothes and toys? Follow these simple steps to teach them to lend a hand.Are you constantly picking up your kids’ clothes and toys? Follow these simple steps to teach them to lend a hand.

Instructions

Step 1: Create a clean-up song Make up a catchy clean-up song with the kids. When it is time to clean-up, initiate it by singing your song.
Step 2: Clean together Make cleaning a joint effort and praise your children for their hard work.
TIP: Be specific with cleaning instructions and follow through.
Step 3: Reward your helpers Offer a trip to the park or an allowance to provide an incentive for hard work.
TIP: Makes chores fun, never a punishment.
Step 4: Make a chore board Make a chore board to let kids keep track of chores accomplished. Let them decorate the chore board with stickers or their own drawings.
Step 5: Make it a game Make cleaning a game by seeing who can clean the fastest, the quietest, or while dancing.
Step 6: Make it routine Be consistent and firm. Cleaning will become a part of daily life, not a chore.
FACT: Did you know? In the United States, the average six-room home collects 40 pounds of dust per year.