Life Skills List

May 18, 2013 By Christine Field

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Age-Appropriate Chores (Skills to Learn)

What can a child do?

The Age 2-3 Child can be introduced to these tasks:

Begin to dress self
Help make bed – at least pull covers up
Pick up toys
Hang clothing – like jammies – on hooks
Carry laundry to and from laundry area
Help fold towels
Empty light trash cans
Dust!
Carry plate to sink after meals
Put silverware in dishwasher
Help feed animals
Help wipe up spills
Dry unbreakable dishes
Sweep
Bring in newspaper
Mop a small area
Pour from a small pitcher
Pull weeds
Fetch diapers
Help pick up living room

The Age 4-5 should begin to have experience with these tasks:

Dress self
Make own bed
Clear dishes from table
Set table
Retrieve the mail
Dust!
Water plants
Help in kitchen – stirring, ripping lettuce, drying dishes
Help carry and put away groceries
Wash yard toys when needed
Help rake the yard
Help wash car and clean interior
Sweep patio
Wash floors, low walls with sponge
Put away own clothes – put dirty clothes in hamper
Sort clean clothes by family member
Sort dirty clothes by color
hang towels after bath
Help load dishwasher

The Age 6-12 child can be expected to:

Make bed
Take care of pets – clean cages and feed them
Cook simple foods – use simple recipes
Make school lunches
Help with yard work
Help wash car
Wash, hang and fold laundry
Vacuum, sweep and mop
Straighten up house
Wash, dry and put away dishes
Clean bathroom completely
Rake leaves, shovel snow
Weed and water garden
Use washer and dryer
Take out trash
Strip and change beds
Iron
Polish shoes

The child Age 13 and up is becoming proficient at these:

Any of the above, plus
Change light bulbs
Replace a vacuum cleaner bag
Wash inside and outside windows
Clean out a refrigerator
Clean stove and oven
Prepare a meal
Make grocery lists
Shop for groceries
Cook meals
Do all laundry functions
Iron clothes
Do clothes mending, repairs
Mow the lawn
Trim yard
Wash and polish car
Maintain a bicycle – fill tires with air, oil squeaks
Help paint and caulk

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