Chore time made cheerful

My daughter, at 20 months, is old enough to do things such as put her shirt in a hamper and wipe a spill — and I realise this is my opportunity to strike.

The second her masticated cereal hits the floor, it is a chance to explain that half-chewed food lives in the trash can and not under our feet.

By showing her how to clean up after herself, child-development experts tell me, I am instilling a sense of accomplishment and helping her master the skill required to scoop up squished cereal as opposed to squished peas.
Channelled outward

Children today spend less time on housework, such as meal preparation and clean-up, petcare and outdoor work, according to Sandra Hofferth, director of the University of Maryland's Population Research Centre.

She broke it down like this: More women are employed outside the home.

Children are spending more time at school, in childcare or in activities such as soccer practice or tuba lessons.

Mum and dad are also more likely to outsource domestic tasks such as cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, because they don't have the time to do them.

Still lot to do

Another reason for parents to outsource is not wanting to “spend their scarce time with children harassing them about finishing household chores''.

But hiring maids and eating cooked food bought outside still leave plenty to do around the house.

There are toys to pick up, clothes to put away and dogs to walk. That brings us to the issue of motivation.

A parent has to start with what a reasonable contribution to the household is. Feeding the fish. Loading the dishwasher. Putting the salad in a bowl.

When children are young, getting them to help is easier. They want to be like you, even when you're taking out the garbage.

As children get older, parents have to weigh the value of housework against extracurricular activities and lessons.

Again, for the less cooperative, money can be an inducement. But parents should try not paying children to do household tasks such as setting the table or taking out the trash, because helping is part of being a member of the family.

It's reasonable to pay children for something you would typically pay someone to do, such as washing your car.

But sorting out what tasks you pay for and what you do yourself can be a personal decision. It boils down to what you want your children to gain from the experience.

Encourage your child to help, block-by-block

Child-development expert Claire Lerner of the non-profit organisation Zero to Three says it's important for parents to notice and commend a child for his or her work on a chore, rather than focus on whether the chore is completed.

This is especially true for a young child. For example, if your child is watering plants, you could say: “You are working so hard to keep all the water in the pot.''

18 months and older

• Lend a hand in transferring non-sharp utensils and small, unbreakable items into and out of dishwasher.
  
• Put trash in trash can or dirty clothing in hamper.
  
• Water plants.
  
• Put food or water into pet dish.
  
• Turn lights on and off while entering or leaving a room.

2 years and older

• Wash unbreakable dishes.
  
• Wipe up spills.
  
• Help collect recyclable trash.
  
• Put toys away.
  

8 years and older

• Sort laundry.
  
• Make his or her bed.
  
• Set and clear table.
  
• Help prepare and clean up meals.
  
• Take out trash.
  

12 years and older

• Wash car.
  
• Clean his or her room.
  
• Weed garden.
  
• Rake leaves.
  
• Shovel snow.
  
• Sweep floor or porch.
  
• Fill and empty dishwasher.
  
• Walk dog or clean up cat litter.