Chores for 2-Year-Old
I think every parent agrees that having kids do chores is an important part of growing up. It teaches responsibility and accountability. The major question is how and when to start? I’ve heard many different opinions on this subject matter from childhood experts and other mothers. However, I’m not sure I agree with any of them. In a way, we started as soon as my son could walk while carrying a toy since I started having him clean up his toys right away.This has evolved over time and we’ve added more tasks that he does on a daily and weekly basis. At this age, he loves to help out. To him, helping me seems to be its own reward. What does he do to help and how do I get him to do these “chores”? Read on to find out!
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“Chore” List for a 2-Year-Old
I put chores in quotes because we don’t really call them chores yet. It’s just helping mommy around the house. These are the simple things that he does to help me in the house.
1. Clean up his toys and books
2. Help put clothes in the washing machine
3. Put plastic Tupperware away
4. Carry light groceries into the house
5. Sweep, or hold the dustpan for me
6. Wash dishes
7. Wipe counters
Of course, I still have to repeat many of these things, but it does make it easier that he has made the first attempt!
Getting Him to Help
Sometimes, it doesn’t take any prompting. On these occasions, my son will see what I am doing and just want to imitate. This usually happens with three of these “chores”: laundry, putting the Tupperware away and bringing in light groceries.
I’ll bring the laundry over to the machine and he follows me and asks to help. After I put a couple things in, I’ll let him do the rest. I can point out which buttons to push and he is so proud of himself when he does all this on his own.
When I unload the dishwasher, he often wants to help as well. I don’t want him handling any of the fragile stuff and the pots and pans are still a little heavy. So he takes care of the Tupperware. It helps that he knows where it goes because he loves to play with it! (If you have read my 13 Indoor Activites for an Active Toddler post you’ve seen me talk about Tupperware before)
Getting home from the grocery store, he usually runs to the trunk of the car and waits for me to give him one small item that he can carry inside while I grab the rest. I can’t wait until he’s a little bigger and can handle more since I’m still left with two arm-fulls of stuff and usually a second trip!
Washing dishes for him is more like playing with water. He rubs the sponge on the plates a little bit, but it basically is like a really good rinse. I usually put these in the dishwasher once he’s done. He loves the bubbles and splashing the water!
Sweeping we make a fun game. We can each have our own brooms and I sing a little song while we sweep. It’s nothing big, usually just singing the word “sweep” over and over to a beat. I challenge him to try and make as big a pile as possible with the broom. It’s hilarious to watch him be so delicate with the broom trying not to ruin the pile! Then I get the dustpan and he holds that while I sweep the pile in. He loves picking it up and walking carefully over to the trash can with it to throw the dirt away.
Putting toys away can be the biggest struggle since he just wants to continue playing with them. This he never starts on his own. I always have to ask, and sometimes more than once. I’ve found the best way to get him to do it is, again, to make it like a game. Counting is his favorite. I’ll say, “I see 10 blocks out, can you find them all and put them away?” Then he runs around and I count them out as he puts them away. If he stops at any point, I’ll remind him that there are still 4 blocks and that usually refocuses him. This same game can be used with any type of toy.
I also have a song for cleaning up. It’s one that I knew from when I was a kid and many of you might as well.
“Clean up, clean up,
Everybody, everywhere,
Clean up, clean up,
Everybody do your share!”
He loves this and when I start with this song, it helps with the transition.
Wiping counters is one that I usually laugh at since he doesn’t actually clean anything, but he likes to do it. I just give him a cloth with water and so I always have to redo it with actual cleaner, but I don’t want him being exposed to those chemicals yet. If you have nice counters, like those from Premier Surfaces, you want them to be clean! This company makes high-quality custom countertops to fit your needs in any room. It’s not just countertops either. Those floors your kids are learning to care for, they offer those as well.
The craftsmanship is remarkable and one trip to one of their showrooms will amaze you! They have public showrooms in Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Kansas, Minnesota and right here in New York. Premier Surfaces Rochester, NY is a great location for people from in and around the city to see examples of their work. This company has professional employees and are dedicated to customer service and have a customer satisfaction guarantee that includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
You’ll definitely want to teach your kids to take care of the nice surfaces you have in your house! When did you start chores and what did you start with?
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24 Comments
Brenae
I love this! I’ve been thinking about making a chore chart lately for my 3 year old! He’s super helpful and likes to clean and do laundry but I do think there’s something about teaching them responsibility and making it an official “job” of theirs!
Kat
I think charts are great for 3-year-olds! I’m planning on making one next year for my son. For now, we don’t use a chart and he just helps as he can!
Marya
It’s so great to start teaching your kids when they’re young to be contributing members of the family!
Kat
Thank you!
Anna
Our four years old loves helping me in the kitchen cooking. Her chores are to clean her bedroom, pick up her toys, and put all her dirty clothes in her own basket. It’s really cute when they want to help. I enjoy it a lot. Your kitchen is beautiful by the way.
Kat
I wish that was my kitchen! It’s one that was done by Premier Surfaces, not for me though.
Amy
I love that clean up song we sing something similar, my 17 month old basically un does the cleaning 😂 but she’s learning!
Kat
It’ll come the more you lead by example and try and get her to participate.
Angie
I think this is very important to start teaching kids from an early age to help out with chores around the house. It teaches them responsibility and that they need to help out too. My daughter helps with picking up her toys at the end of the night, unload the dishwasher, in the kitchen with stirring and adding spices or chopped food while I’m cooking, and she has a toy rag and spray that she uses to “clean” when I’m cleaning too. She’s also 2.
Kat
That’s great! Such important lessons to learn.
Tramayne
Let’s see if this will work on my too spoiled for his own good five year old lol
Kat
Haha, it’s a good time to start! Can always work in rewards or a sticker chart to encourage!
lashonya
This is cool! My son likes to help and hopefully that will last a while. Thanks for sharing!
Kat
Thank you!
Brittany
So many great ideas! My kids ar reaching that age where chores are needed. I really want to start a chose sticker chart to helo promote it!
Kat
I’ll be doing that once my son gets a little older!
Nino
All of these activities are very much in line with the Montessori educational philosophy. 😉 @www.RainyDaySunnyPlay.com
Kat
I didn’t even know that! I guess I’m doing more than I realize!
Pamela
I’m trying to introduce chores to my 3 yo. Sometimes he does them, sometimes it’s a fight. He does love helping with groceries and the wash. And he loves to vacuum!
Kat
That’s good! Mine is still kind of afraid of the vacuum.
Jessie
My 2 year old does all of these willingly. I got her a cleaning set for Christmas and she loves it. She even sings the clean up song. Lol
Kat
That’s wonderful!
Jennifer
My 2 year old loves to sweep and do laundry with me! It takes a little longer, but I like that she enjoys helping.
Kat
I agree!