Why can’t they do the same at home? Surely, cleaning up their classroom helps elementary-aged or preschool kiddos. As young as two, your kids can do chores around the house! While the topic of chores makes some parents uneasy.
As children mature, the expectations established (from an early age) establish the groundwork for achievement. Assigning household chores or responsibilities to children prepares them for development and triumph in various settings, including their home environment.
Yes, indeed. It is important to involve a four-year-old in doing chores, but it is necessary to find an appropriate way for them to accomplish these tasks. However, do you think your four-year-old is capable of doing the same chores as a ten-year-old? We believe in setting reasonable expectations for chores based on the child’s age.
You may wonder by reading and contemplating, yes that sounds favorable… But how? WHY?
Let’s discuss tasks that 4-year-olds are fully capable of doing, shall we?!
HOW do you know which chores are for 4s?
So we have discussed the reason and which ones, but what about the method?
There are millions of articles and lists out there that tell you which chores are good for a four-year-old to do, but how do you know which ones to choose? It may not look the same for everyone at home, but you can decide based on your knowledge of what chores are appropriate for your four-year-old.
Preschool-aged kids adore feeling significant and in control — so allow them to be!
At this age, it is a responsibility to go through trial and error. Think of it as the lens of Goldilocks: you want to make sure that it is not too difficult for them to become frustrated, but also not too easy because they need to feel that it is important.
In the properly labeled containers, store them away while allowing them to explore with curiosity and excitement. However, now you have always encouraged them to tidy up their toys. For instance, encourage them to build upon the skills they already possess.
They’ve been able to pour a cup of water into the dog’s bowl, but now they can correctly measure out their food.
Allow them to determine the remaining tasks and assign them a task with flexible instructions such as, “Could you please store these snacks in the pantry?”
Do not hesitate to allow them to engage in activities even without continuous monitoring. Frequently, they believe they should have greater autonomy than what we are at ease granting. Although they have now reached an age where they can develop some self-reliance, young children in preschool acquire knowledge through observation and active participation.
They may simply astonish you!
12 Chores for 4 Year Olds
Here are twelve activities that four-year-olds can easily accomplish:
Benefits of Chores for 4’s
In a previous post about kids and chores, I argued that there are many functional and educational benefits for your child in helping around the house.
They possess the physical abilities to assist with household tasks in numerous ways. They comprehend the concept of postponing immediate satisfaction, like first tidying up the room, and subsequently, we can proceed to the park. In terms of their growth, they are progressively acquiring greater autonomy, competence, and communication skills. This is particularly evident in children who are four years old.
In just a single year, as soon as they begin kindergarten, it will prove beneficial for them to acquire the skill of maintaining a designated area since tasks assigned to 4-year-olds hold significant significance.
Chores for 4 Year Olds
Although each child is unique, tasks for a four-year-old can be fair, useful, and advantageous in your household.
Below is a list of age-appropriate chores for a four-year-old. You might be wondering which chores they can actually do? Sounds great, right!
How to Maintain Reasonable Expectations
Start young
Yes! You can do chores in your house earlier, implementing the chores you’ll receive resistance less later, not none, on later.
Starting with expectations, you are laying the foundation for a setting in which a ten or eight-year-old may have chores, while a toddler may have different chores.
Keep in mind, not all kids develop and mature at the same pace, but by beginning early, you foster self-assurance and self-reliance.
Model What You Expect
Occasionally, anticipate demonstrating the tasks you desire your four-year-old to accomplish by performing them yourself initially and narrating the process. Through demonstration and repeated practice, young children acquire knowledge.
By demonstrating how to physically move objects and using your hands to show them what you want, you are effectively conveying your desired outcome. However, it may appear overly simplified.
It’s not incorrect to establish expectations, but keep in mind, they require ample guidance at the beginning.
Don’t Expect Perfect
We need to establish reasonable expectations. It is crucial to set high standards for our children. We have acquired decades of experience in performing even basic tasks such as making a bed or arranging a table. As adults, it is effortless to concentrate on how we would accomplish these tasks.
If they don’t fix their work, remind them of the task they have accomplished. Always remember to provide gentle critique. Be patient as they are still learning.
Celebrate Effort
It is crucial to celebrate children’s endeavors.
It’s not about the process of making a bed, but rather the elements that will endure for their entire life – exertion, routines, and groundwork. These are the fundamental components of much grander achievements, although tasks for children who are four years old might not appear intricate or highly intricate.
It was tough for you to work on that, so you’re saying “something nice!” Or something that was helpful to me, so I say “Thank you!” Even if the work isn’t flawless.
Keep Safety in Mind
Remember to keep fundamental safety in mind when requesting assistance from your four-year-old.
Avoid heat (irons, cooking), chemicals (pesticide, strong cleaners), sharp items (knives), and tasks that may be too heavy (mowing the lawn, vacuuming).
Requesting them to engage in activities that could potentially cause severe harm will actually hinder the development of independence and self-assurance.
Consistency & Routines
Grown-ups express their expectations by maintaining a consistent approach and establishing regular schedules.
When we consistently clean up the playroom after children help, we can expect to know the consistent effects of their behavior. If water is spilled, we wipe it up. When clothes come out of the dryer, we sort socks. We will know what’s coming every time kids consistently do this.
Consistency assists children in understanding what to expect, and it provides them with a sense of security.
This regularity at specific times of the day is a habit. Habits enable children to understand what we anticipate from them.
Morning routines usually involve getting dressed, having breakfast, and brushing teeth. When you ask a 4-year-old to get dressed, they aren’t confused.
Employing consistency and schedules for implementing tasks for four-year-olds is beneficial in a similar manner.
Chores for 4-Year-Olds (and Confidence, too!)
Your kiddo shouldn’t be the only one feeling confident about doing chores. Are you feeling more confident allowing your four-year-old some responsibility?
Do you believe they are capable of accomplishing it? They certainly are!
Walking along the road, you can now help the people around the house by giving them an additional gift. Celebrating their wins and gifting them various kinds of benefits will enhance their confidence. It’s a small beginning, but it’s a step towards a better life for them.
It’s alright to give a little bit of guidance on chores, and with the understanding that your four-year-old can help around the house with age-appropriate tasks, go ahead with confidence.
Can you please leave a comment below? I would love to hear what works for you. I would love to hear what works for you at home. Have you already done chores for your four-year-old?