Whether you are first beginning your Montessori journey with your toddler or you have been involved with the Montessori community for years, having an independent child at home may be a goal of yours. This blog post will walk you through age-appropriate chores for your children at home. In school and at home, it is important for your child to be doing work that is challenging and meaningful. Even as a young toddler, it means so much when they know their work is helping others and they are contributing to their community. As your child gets older, they can do progressively harder chores around the house. Just remember this Montessori philosophy – let your child try to do for themselves, and resist the urges to swoop in and correct what they’ve done. As they practice, they will get better and feel good about how they have helped.
Montessori Chores by Age
Chores for 2-3 year olds
- Dust off end tables, TV stands, and wherever else they can reach safely
- Help set table
- Put clothes in a hamper
- Wipe down cabinets
- Wipe up small spills
- Wash windows
- Wash tricycle
- Sweep and mop floors
- Water plants
- Pick up toys
- Help cook
- Feed pets
- Clear dishes from the table
Chores for 4-6 year olds
- Make bed
- Make own snack
- Put their own clothes away
- Help put groceries away
- Vacuum small rooms
- Assist with raking the yard
- Begin making simple meals (eggs, oatmeal)
- Sweep and mop floors
- Empty trash and recycling
- Fold laundry
- Set and clear table
- Empty the dishwasher
- Learn to use the stove
Arranging flowers
Cleaning shoes
Peeling vegetables
Scrubbing vegetables
Sweeping crumbs
Washing dishes
Chores for 7-9 year olds
- Cook more complicated meals, such as a pancakes or scrambled eggs
- Plan menus
- Pack own school lunches
- Load/unload the dishwasher
- Wash dishes
- Take out trash and recycling
- Walk the dog
- Train pets
- Clean their bedroom
- Use the washer and dryer
- Sort and fold laundry
- Iron
- Assemble household items
- Use tools to fix things around the house
- Sewing projects
- Shovel snow
Chores for 10-12 year olds
- Clean the bathroom sink, tub, and counters
- Fully clean the kitchen
- Cook full meals
- Plan and lead outings
- Wash and vacuum the car
- Clean up the yard and weed the garden
For more information on chores for your child, please take a look at these articles:
- “The Value of a Mess,” by Jessica Lahey
- “The Dirt on Chores: Does your Child Help Clean Up?” by Brad Broberg – Parent Map
- “Owner’s Manual for a Child,” by Donna Bryant Goertz – MariaMontessori.com
