17 Mar Age-Appropriate Chores for Your Montessori Child

Spring Cleaning is one of our favorite times of year because it’s a wonderful teaching opportunity. In Montessori education, we believe that chores are practical life skills. Teaching your children early on that these are positive, collaborative responsibilities rather than the negative connotations of “chores” helps them create a positive framework around these tasks. So when you get started on your spring projects, be sure to get your child involved–it will benefit both of you!

If you are in the Sugar Land, TX area, and are looking for a Montessori School for your child, contact Sugar Mill Montessori today!

The Importance of a Clean Space

A major keystone of the Montessori method is that a child’s environment is crucial to their success. There are many benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Promotes a peaceful environment
• Helps increase mental clarity and focus
• Teaches children the importance of caring for their space
• Establishes lifelong tools to create responsible teens and adults

Chores Based on Age

Children develop different skill sets at different ages, so chores can be great learning opportunities. Because a three-year-old’s skillset differs greatly from a one-year-old’s capabilities, we like to follow the Three-Year Cycle to differentiate between age-appropriate chores and household tasks.

12-18 Months

In Montessori teachings, it is important to get your children involved in household tasks as early as possible. At this age, they are very limited in what they can do, so it is all about using basic tasks to instill the idea in their minds. Modeling chores for them helps promote a positive idea about doing chores. It also familiarizes them with the process and teaches them that they are an active member of the household.

Chores:

• Put toys away in bins
• Pour milk or juice into a cup
• Wipe small spills with a cloth

18 Months-3 Years

With expanded abilities, this age is the time to allow children to follow their intuition and complete tasks as they wish. With some guidance and support, this is the time to promote their sense of independence. Let them choose which task to do first, and then make it a collaboration between both of you.

Chores:

• Pick out outfits
• Feed pets
• Put dirty laundry in a hamper

3-6 Years

At this stage, your child will be a pro at cleaning time! They now have the ability to complete tasks on their own, so this is the time to allow them to shine. Keep it a positive experience for them by promising a fun activity afterward. For example, instead of saying, “you can’t play with toys until your bed is made,” reframe it as “after you get your bed made, it can be playtime!”

Chores:

• Make bed
• Help prepare meals
• Load/unload the dishwasher
• Dress themselves
• Fold laundry

Spring Clean the Montessori Way

Spring cleaning is a great way for kids to learn about responsibility and take part in household chores. It’s also a way for you to spend time with your children while teaching them important lessons about taking care of their environment. As Montessori teachers, we believe this will help students develop into responsible adults who are able to maintain order in their lives through self-directed work and organization skills. By following our guide, you can make chore time fun for you and your child!

Looking to enroll your child in a wonderful Montessori school? Get in touch with Sugar Mill Montessori in Sugar Land, TX, today!