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Sonja Brownlee, MD.
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Last Updated 1/2010

The information contained on this web site is not a substitute for direct examination and treatment by a physician. If any of this material is unclear or confusing, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please call the office at 778-6762. 

Disclaimer:Sonja Brownlee,M.D. cannot endorse all links presented on the website as they may link to unrelated third-party websites.

Daily responsibilities and chores are an important part of learning that life requires work, not just play. Doing chores is not a punishment: it is a part of belonging to a family. It also helps children develop a sense of responsibility and initiative. This is learned through a gradual process of guidance and reward.

Most children will have periods of acting irresponsibly, procrastinating and dawdling. During these times you need to step in and, with encouragement and gentle guidance, point them in the right direction.

Sometimes parents may demand too much of their children, or may see a problem in everything their children do. They may burden them with too many responsibilities - an unfair number of chores, excess hours of taking care of younger siblings, or a too rigorous schedule of after-school activities. When that happens, children may feel overwhelmed and resist taking on any responsibilities at all.

Children differ in the personal traits and temperament they bring to tasks. Some are not very persistent and easily distracted, others have difficulty getting organized, and others have trouble shifting from one activity to another. You should have a good sense of your child's style and shape your expectations accordingly.

Remember that assigning chores requires teaching, reminding, supervising, and praising. Responsibility and initiative are learned through a gradual process of guidance and reward.

Home Responsibilities for a 4 year old

• Set the table - with good dishes, too, with some help.
• Help parents put the groceries away.
• Help with grocery shopping under supervision.
• Follow a schedule for feeding pets.
• Help do easy yard and garden work.
• Help make the beds.
• Help do dishes or fill dishwasher, with some help.
• Dust furniture.
• Spread butter on sandwiches.
• Prepare cold cereal.
• Help parents prepare plates of food for dinner.
• Help make a simple dessert (Jell-O, frost cupcake)
• Hold hand mixer to whip potatoes or mix a cake.
• Share toys with friends.
• Get the mail.
• Tell parent where they'll be while outside playing.
• Play without constant adult supervision and attention.

Home Responsibilities for a 5 year old

• Help with meal planning and grocery shopping.
• Make own sandwich and clean up afterwards.
• Pour own drink.
• Set the dinner table.
• Tear lettuce for salad.
• Put certain ingredients to a recipe.
• Make bed and clean room.
• Dress self and choose outfit for the day.
• Keep the bathroom clean.
• Clean mirrors and windows if they are low.
• Separate clothing (whites, lights, darks) for washing.
• Fold clean clothes and put them away.
• Answer the telephone.
• Help with yard work.
• Pay for small purchases.
• Help clean out the car.
• Help take out the garbage.
• Decide how s/he wants to spend allowance.
• Feed pets and clean the pet's living area.
• Tie own shoes.

Home Responsibilities for a 6 year old

• Choose own clothing for the day according to the weather or a special event.
• Shake rugs.
• Water plants and flowers.
• Peel vegetables.
• Cook simple food (hot dogs, boiled egg, toast)
• Prepare own school lunch.
• Help hang clothes on the clothes line or put in dryer.
• Hang up own clothes in the closet
• Gather wood for fireplace.
• Rake leaves and weeds.
• Take pet for a walk.
• Responsible for own minor injuries.
• Keep the garbage container clean.
• Help clean the outside and inside of car.
• Straighten or clean out silverware drawer.
• Set the table.

Home Responsibilities for a 7 year old

• Oil and care for bike and lock it when unused.
• Take phone messages and write them down.
• Sweep and wash patio area.
• Run errands for parents.
• Water the lawn.
• Wash cat or dog.
• Train pets.
• Carry in grocery sacks.
• Be polite, courteous, and respect others.
• Carry own lunch or lunch money, and notes to school.
• Leave the bathroom in order; hang up clean towels.
• Do simple ironing, flat pieces.
• Scrub floors.

Home Responsibilities for a 8-9 year old

• Fold napkins properly and set silverware properly.
• Mop or buff the floor.
• Clean venetian blinds.
• Help rearrange furniture. Help plan the layout.
• Run own bath water or shower.
• Help others with their work when asked.
• Straighten own closet and drawers.
• Shop and select own clothing and shoes.
• Change school clothes without being told.
• Fold blankets.
• Sew buttons. Sew rip sin seams.
• Clean storage room.
• Clean up animal "messes" in the yard and house.
• Begin to read recipes and cook for the family.
• Baby-sit for short periods of time.
• Cut flowers and make a centerpiece.
• Pick fruit off trees.
• Build a campfire, get items ready to cook out.
• Pain fence or shelves.
• Write simple letters and thank-you notes.
• Help with defrosting and cleaning of the refrigerator.
• Feed the baby.
• Polish silverware, copper, or brass items.
• Clean patio furniture.
• Wax living room furniture.

Home Responsibilities for a 9-10 year old

• Change the sheets on the bed.
• Operate the washer and/or dryer.
• Measure detergent and bleach.
• Buy groceries using a list and comparative shopping.
• Cross streets unassisted.
• Prepare pastries from box mixes.
• Prepare a family meal.
• Receive and answer own mail.
• Pour and make tea, coffee, kool-aid.
• Wait on guests.
• Plan own birthday or other parties
• Be able to apply simple first aid.
• Do neighborhood chores.
• Be able to sew (including use a sewing machine)
• Wash the family care.
• Learn to bank and to be thrifty.

Home Responsibilities for a 10-11 year old

• Earn own money.
• Do not fear to be alone at home.
• Handle sums of money responsibly.
• Be able to take a city bus or taxi.
• Be responsible for personal hobby.

Home Responsibilities for a 11-12 year old

• Be able to take responsibility as a leader in outside organizations.
• Put very young siblings to bed.
• Run own errands.
• Mow lawn.
• Help parents build things and do family errands.
• Clean oven and stove.
• Be able to schedule self the time for studies.
• Be responsible for a paper route or similar activity.
• Check and add oil to the family vehicle.