Giving toddlers chores to do regularly is a fantastic way to keep them busy while teaching responsibility. If you’ve decided you want to start them off on chores, know where to start with age-appropriate tasks that aid in child development. The child care specialists at Great Beginnings in Saint Charles, MO, recommend getting started with the chores listed below.

Toddler Chores That Boost Child Development 

1. Picking Up Toys

After playtime, have your child go around and pick up all their toys and books. This teaches them to be responsible for their own messes. Establish a home for each item and turn the chore into a game by asking them if they know where each item goes. If they know, have them place it there themselves. If they don’t, walk with them and show them what to do for next time.

2. Caring for Pets

Assisting with the care of a pet teaches a child to be respectful, kind, and responsible with animals. Let them help with feeding by scooping out the meals and calling the pet over. Give children a plastic cup or pitcher to fill the water bowl, and if they spill, give them paper towels and have them clean up the mess.

3. Laundry

Putting laundry in the hamper or down a laundry chute is easy enough for a toddler. This teaches them the importance of cleanliness and taking the initiative to tidy up. As they get older and accustomed to it, turn sorting between colored clothes and white clothes into a game and have them help with the laundry itself, such as loading the washer or putting in the dryer sheet.

These chores at home will encourage child development, and their early childhood education should do the same. Great Beginnings in Saint Charles, MO, has a highly trained staff and a well-rounded curriculum with a full range of programs to suit your needs. They have two convenient preschools in St. Charles and Cottleville. Contact the St. Charles location at (636) 724-5048 or the Cottleville location at (636) 447-4212 to discuss signing your child up.