My little girl is going to be 2 next month and she is really starting to want to help me with some of the household chores. She especially loves unloading the dishwasher.
Many people have asked me over the years how I have time to do crafts, clean the house, etc. with little ones. My answer is simple. I keep my toddlers next to me while I work.
While my house is no showplace, it could be a lot worse if I only thought I could clean if the kids weren’t around.
Children have a natural desire to emulate the actions of the adults in their lives. While it is easier just to do the mundane household tasks myself, it is always much more fun to have a helper.
In turn, toddlers learn how to do household chores and they actually enjoy doing them. Oh, if only I could always think that doing dishes and laundry was as fun as my toddlers do. 🙂
Encouraging toddlers to help around the house is not only teaching them useful skills, but it also teaches them that they are a valuable part of the family.
While there are times when it isn’t safe to have my little ones right next to me helping, the majority of the time I enjoy having a pint-sized helper next to me.
Here are some ways I have encouraged my toddlers and preschoolers to help around the house.
- Sweeping the Floor
- Washing Dishes
- Cleaning Spills
- Kids in the Kitchen
- Unloading the Dishwasher
- Laundry Sorting and Folding
- Pushing Buttons
- Digging in the Dirt
How do you encourage your little ones to help around the house?
