Equipping Your Child for the Real World

One of my goals for the new year is to make sure our children have the life skills they need for the real world. We have a daughter that is graduating in May, so this is very important to me to make sure all the bases are covered. I'm reading a book called "Life Skills for Kids" by Christine M. Field. It's a been a great guideline for me and I highly recommend it. I'm going to address different topics from the book as I'm reading through the book. The first area is age appropriate chores. I know when my children were much younger, I didn't know what they were really capable of doing at each age. Having a list was very helpful, so I thought providing you with one might be a good idea.

Age Appropriate Chores -

It is important to teach responsibility to children in the home. They need to know that they have certain things that are expected of them. Responsibility and work ethic are important things to instill in your children, in order for them to feel they have worth and to gain skills necessary to succeed in adulthood. Also, it has been shown in studies that children, including toddlers, who have household responsibilities have greater self-esteem and less overall behavioral problems.

12 to 24 months -

*Simple errands (using easy directions), such as: "bring mommy a diaper", "put this is the

trashcan"

*Putting dirty clothes in a basket/hamper
*Simple help with groceries, such as: putting items in shopping cart, helping put items on the

check-out conveyor, handing items to you to be put away at home
*Picking up toys and putting in toy box (don't really expect them to sort and organize too

much at this age)
*Yard work, such as picking up trash and toys
*Wiping up small spills and messes with a napkin or washcloth

Two to Three Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Putting shoes and coat in proper place
*Slightly more complicated errands (continue to use easy directions), such as: "throw these

clothes into the hamper", "put this dirty cup in the sink". Child should be able to attempt a

chore when asked to
*Wash hands with help
*Brush teeth (I gave mine assistance until they were five or six, especially with flossing.)
*Helping sort dirty clothes by color, handing clothes to mom to put in washer, transferring

clothes from dryer into basket
*Picking up toys and books, beginning skills of learning to put items in their proper place
*Cleaning up after meals (ex. taking dishes to sink, helping clean-off table)
*Carrying light-weight groceries in from car
*Put books on the bookshelf
*Helping to set table
*Help feed pets
*Dust (We used socks on their hands as dustcloths.)

Three to Four Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Water plants/garden
*Wash hands (without assistance)
*Brush teeth (with assistance)
*Pick up toys and put in proper place
*Put dirty clothes into clothes hamper
*Normal daily routines (such as getting dressed, breakfast, etc. in morning; bath, prayers, bed

in the evening)
*Getting the mail, keeping room neat, putting their dirty clothes in hamper
*Helping wash the car
*Helping put up groceries in proper place
*Help cooking and preparing food (with adult supervision)

Four to Five Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Dust
*Assist in making bed
*Feed and basic care for pet
*Put away clean clothes (May need help with folding "properly" for a little longer.)
*Set out clothes for the next day
*Simple vacuuming/sweeping
*Share toys with friends (practice courtesy)

Five to Six Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Sharpen pencils
*Make bed/change sheets (with minimal assistance)
*Set table by self (No sharp knives at this point.)
*Learn to be polite, courteous, and to share; respect others
*Help clean out the car
*Keep room tidy

Six to Seven Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Make bed/change sheets (without assistance)
*Wash dishes with help from mommy
*Fold and put away clean clothes
*Set out clothes for the next day
*Clean room
*Unsupervised responsibilities (washing out trash cans, etc.).
*Make pour own drink, get own condiments, etc.
*Simple help with younger siblings (changing diapers, watching him/her while mom showers,

helping with bath)
*Dress on own and choose outfit for the day
*Learn to tie shoes
*Answer the telephone and begin to dial the phone
*Pay for small purchases
*Hang up own clothes in the closet

*Pulling weeds and simple raking
*Carry own lunch money and notes back to school
*Start remembering to do homework on own

Eight to Ten Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Care for self and simple first aid, such as: putting a band-aid on their cut, icebag on bump.
*Prepare simple meals, such as: sandwiches for lunch, salad for dinner, preparing drinks
*Learning to use washer/dryer with supervision
*Increased responsibilities for younger siblings (dressing infants/toddlers, entertaining them for

longer periods, helping with school work)
*Complete responsibility for their room on a daily basis
*Cleaning yard
*More difficult cleaning projects (scrubbing floors, washing windows, etc.)
*Saving and donating (if children receive an allowance)
*Bathing on own (do check on child, but constant supervision should not be needed)
*Help others with their work when asked
*Help make decisions when shopping for self and household
*Fold blankets
*Simple sewing (buttons, hemming rips, etc.)
*Clean up animal "messes"
*Pick fruit off trees
*Assist in household projects/repairs (painting, etc.)
*Write thank-you notes
*Feeding baby and younger siblings
*Do chores without a reminder
*Handle self properly when in public places alone or with peers

Eleven to Twelve Years (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Join outside organizations, attend meetings, follow rules, etc.
*Being responsible for own schedule (homework, appointments, etc)
*Help put siblings to bed and dress them
*Respect others' property
*Help with yard work, including use of yard tools
*Buy own "treats" with personal money
*Help with car maintenance

Thirteen Years and Older (in addition to chores previously mentioned) -

*Responsibility for preparing family meals
*Social and health awareness (exercise, hygiene, etc.)
*Replace light bulbs and vacuum cleaner bags
*Wash windows
*Clean out refrigerator and other kitchen appliances
*Prepare grocery lists