Sometimes it feels impossible to get our child to help out with the household chores. As frustrating as that is, remind yourself that you at that age thought chores were the worst thing ever, TOO! First, we need to debunk how “terrible” chores are. Share with your child that a clean house, a clean bedroom and clean playroom is important for your home. Share with them that the cleaner the space is the more use they can get out of it. You can remind them that they will know where all their toys are and they will have more space to play.

Here is a fun activity to engage them in chores and a time to spend some quality learning time together:

“Chore and Explore”

Chores? and Summer Fun? How do those two go together… Let’s find out!

Children often think their bedrooms, bathrooms and play areas clean themselves. A simple way to go about chores is to keep them simple, routine and positive. So… By adding a fun twist to them they become less “boring” or “annoying” to our youngins. Here are the rules to “Chores and Explore”.

1. Ask your child to find 3 parts of the house that look like they need some tidying up. Set a timer for 5-6 minutes and let them know you are timing them (this adds excitement to the exploration of the house). They will have 5-6 minutes to search the whole house and they will have to pick 3 areas that need cleaning.

2. Pick a meeting spot for them to meet you at one they’ve found their 3 spots (dining room table, living room couch, etc) and then set the timer, and cheer them on. Give them hints too… For example: “Look in your closet”, “Check the bathroom garbage”, “Check the bathroom sink for toothpaste”, etc.

3. Once the time goes off, meet your child at the meeting spot.

4. Before you ask them to tell you, guess what spot YOU think needs cleaning and see if you two pick any of the same locations.

5. Let your child tell you the locations they picked that need cleaning. Ask them why they picked that then proceed to ask what tool you two need to clean that up.

6. Ask them to guide you to the tools necessary for cleaning up (vacuum, laundry detergent, windex, etc). If your child doesn’t know where these are located or are too young, this then gives you the opportunity to show them and teach them which products go to what messy area.

7. Ask your child how long they think it will take you two to clean up? Whatever time they say or a time you suggest, then set the timer to that time. State that you and your child are going to work together to complete the clean up before the timer goes off.

7A. At this time, if your child would benefit from an incentive, then maybe offer an ice cream date, a trip to the movie theatre, a pool day, etc.

8. Ready, set… GO! Start the time and work with your child.

8A. Turn on some music and welcome all the laughs and silliness to come!

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