How toddlers can help with housework

Look what happened to my magic mop?

 

It’s become shorter and it’s now kid’s sized! Daddy’s idea on how we can get Sophie to help around the house.

And before you call the Children Protection Service, I assure you it’s because Sophie enjoys cleaning the house and might I even add gets personal satisfaction just because she’s got a clean streak in her. I was pleasantly delighted to see how thorough the little girl can be, not missing a spot as she cleans.

Recently, we borrowed a book, Lets be helpful by P.K. Hallinan which is about a boy who find ways to helps around the house. As we turn the pages, she would point and go

  • I help Daddy (put his clothes in the laundry basket)
  • I clean up (her toys before bedtime)

Books have been a wonder aid to reinforce lessons and values that we want to teach Sophie. And being at a stage where she’s into imitating, she too wants to be like the characters that she reads in the books.

I’ll be keeping a look out for the rest of P.K. Hallinan series that inculcates life-long values to kids.

How do you encourage your little one to help around the house?

Oh but it never hurts to ask. So anyone knows where I can find a kids sized vacuum cleaner too?

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  1. MingYuan Lim July 5, 2011 at 10:19 pm Reply

    my girl too! haha… though yahn’s not as meticulous nor as patient. she usually eagerly helps to load the laundry until she’s bored / tired and she’ll slam the washing machine door shut even before it’s full! as for sweeping, she’s just spreading the dust around!

  2. Susan Koh July 6, 2011 at 12:30 am Reply

    I’ll cut her some slack on the cleanliness. I’m just contented that she’s kept busy and not disturbing me while I get some real housework done.

  3. Ruth July 6, 2011 at 11:41 am Reply

    Great idea! I’ll let my boy try this, since he enjoys wiping his highchair and the floor with cloth. As for vacuum, if you have one of those handheld ones, you can let Sophie try it. I was just clearing my storeroom yesterday and thought of the idea! *LOL* Since we no longer use it, so I thought I can turn it into a ‘toy’ for my boy ;P

    • Susan July 6, 2011 at 2:01 pm Reply

      That’s a great idea, I do have one at home too. Its a great thing that they are so helpful around the house 🙂

  4. Emily July 15, 2011 at 4:32 am Reply

    I love your little magic mop! We have a lightweight vacuum with an adjustable handle and if we don’t lift it, it’s a good height for our 5 year old. I’ve been searching for age appropriate chores and a chore system for our 5 and 3 year old. They already do several chores, but I think the visual would be helpful, especially for things like cleaning up toys and brushing teeth- an ongoing battle. By the way, I’ve found this Mom’s Guide to have some really good teeth info & tips if you are interested in checking it out. Thanks for the post. I’m inspired to make chores a little more fun for my kiddos now!

    • Susan July 15, 2011 at 2:24 pm Reply

      Hi Emily, thanks for dropping by.
      And based on the article for the link you shared, Sophie is late for her further dental visit since she’s turning two soon!
      Yeah when everything becomes a game and fun for them, the kids are more willing and eager to chip in. I’m thinking of starting a reward system when she gets older so she extra motivated.

  5. […] to the household chores. Since we don’t have a maid, everyone must chip in. That includes Sophie. She’s been taught to keep her things away after she’s done, bring her used utensils to […]

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