by Jerica Collins

Created on: February 01, 2008   Last Updated: February 04, 2009

Children have been doing chores ever since humans have been in existance. Whether it be setting the table or feeding the animals, doing dishes or helping with laundry, chores have been a necessary component to raising a child. Children need chores to understand responsibilty and how people work together.

I believe that children can learn very important life lessons from having to do chores daily. As a child grows up there is nothing wrong with increasing the number or difficulty of chores. It also doesn't hurt to give a small allowance for completed chores.

A young child around the age of six can begin to learn a little responsibilty and team work from helping to fold their laundry and put it away, cleaning their rooms, helping take care of animals (though a parent much supervise), and even simply clearing their own dishes from the table. At this age an allowance isn't necessary, just learning some basic skills.

By the age of ten a child can start learning responsiblity by doing their own laundry completely. They can learn to help others by setting the table, helping with dishes, and even vaccumming. A small allowance can start teaching money responsibilty and how rewarding it can be to finish things. Feeding and caring for pets can teach love of other living beings and how important it is to do what they are told because someone elses well being is at stake (though a parent must still be responsible for checking on the animals daily).

As teenagers, they can have a lot more responsiblity such as babysitting younger children and running to the store for groceries. It is important at this age to start teaching skills required to live on their own. Cleaning toilets, cooking a meal, handling their money, and keeping a job are all things you can ask of them. Not giving them an allowance, but instead asking them to have a job to get money and pay for their own car teaches them that things will not just be given to them.

Everything a child gets from doing chores prepares them for life on their own. When they are adults they need to know how to take care of themselves, their home, and work with others. They need to be taught when to spend money and when to save it, and how to make other important decisions.

For any age you can post lists of each child's chores and check them off (or give stickers for younger kids) when they are completed. You can help them decide when the best time to do the chores is and help them keep track of any allowance made. All of this can teach time management and how to keep records. Chores are important for every child wether you are rich or poor.

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