How to Foster Responsibility and Independence with a Chore Chart

As a parent of a toddler, I often wondered if my child was old enough to start helping around the house. What better way to find out if he was ready than by simply letting him try? I began with small tasks like matching socks, and then we moved on to folding washcloths. Ok, he could do those things, but could he scrape his plate into the trash and put it in the sink? He sure could! My 3-year-old was already more capable than I had given him credit for! That’s when I decided to implement a chore chart with clear goals and a reward at the end… and let me tell you, it’s been life-changing.

As a mom of an only child, I tend to do a lot of things for him. But as he gets older, I’ve learned that in order for him to be a functioning adult in society, he needs to build independence. How can he learn that if I’m always doing everything for him? Sure, I can get it done in half the time and usually without a mess (like scraping his plate into the trash can, which can sometimes cause a spill!), but what does that teach him? Absolutely nothing. If anything, it stunts his ability to practice and perfect these skills—and it can also diminish his confidence if I never give him the chance to try.

You may be wondering: What kinds of things can my child help with around the house? Toddlers are still developing fine and gross motor skills, so it’s important to keep that in mind when deciding what tasks are appropriate. Here are a few ideas to get started with today!

Picking Up Toys

This is a no-brainer! Children can start picking up their toys much younger than 3 if there is a designated space for their toys. Make sure the bin, shelf, or bucket where the toys go is at their level so they can easily reach it and be successful. In my house, I don’t have a perfectly curated shelf with individual cubbies for each toy, but some families may prefer that level of organization. If so, try adding a picture of the toy on the shelf where you want it to go. We use two long shelves for our toys, and honestly, as long as they’re off the floor, I’m a happy mama! Some families use clear plastic drawers or wooden toy boxes. However you decide, your child can definitely help put them back where they belong!

Dishes

This was one that I wasn’t quite sure about, but when I tried it at home, I was amazed! My toddler can walk his plate to the trash can, scrape it with his fork, and put it in the sink. If the dishwasher is open, he can even help put it in! This task will require some practice and modeling from you, but once they get the hang of it, it’s one less plate you’ll have to pick up! And they love scraping their plates into the trash—I don’t know why, but my son loves it!

Putting Clothes in the Hamper

This is another easy one to implement, especially after your toddler takes off their jammies or just before bath time. Instead of letting the clothes hit the floor for you to pick up, show them where the hamper is and have them walk their clothes over themselves. You may need a hamper in the bathroom as well as the bedroom, but that’s okay! As long as the clothes aren’t on the floor, I consider it a win. Soon, they’ll be sorting whites from colors in no time!

Setting the Table for Meals

This is one of my son’s favorites! He loves coming into the kitchen, where I hand him each item, and he places it at the correct spots on the table for dinner. Forks, spoons, plates (be careful with glass plates and hand them to him near the table to avoid dropping), napkins, and cups—he loves seeing the table set and ready for dinner!

Cleaning Up Bath Toys

Oh, the dreaded bath toys! There have been so many nights where we rushed to get out of the tub, and the toys were just left in the water to stay there until the next night. Not only does this leave a mess, but it also doesn’t teach responsibility. So, what we do at our house is I pull the plug to start draining the water, and while it’s draining, my toddler’s job is to put all of the bath toys into the bin or net by himself. Not only does this give him a job to do, but it also keeps the tub and toys dry and clean!

Feeding Pets

If you have a pet that needs feeding, your toddler can help! I keep my dog’s food in a container with two handles that are easy for my son to open. Inside, I keep a half-cup measuring cup and tell him to put one scoop in her bowl. To make it easier, I store the food bin close to the dog’s bowl to avoid spills as he walks it over. Easy, right?

Watering Plants

This is a great task because I often forget to water my plants, but my toddler doesn’t forget anything! I bought him a small watering can for the indoor plants, which is easy for him to use. I fill it with water, hand it to him, and tell him to count to five as he pours water into the soil of each plant. This chore can get a little messy, but hey, it’s only water! If he spills, he comes to get a towel and wipes it up. The plants are getting watered, and what does a child love more than pouring water? Nothing! It’s a win-win!

One of the most important benefits of using a chore chart with your toddler is that it gives them a sense of responsibility in taking care of the family home while fostering independence. Toddlers are just beginning to understand the concept of routines, so giving them a few simple chores can help them learn about responsibility and working toward a goal. By offering constant praise for their efforts, they’ll feel a sense of pride in helping you around the house.

One of the most effective ways to motivate your child is through visuals. As they see their stickers or checkmarks accumulating on their chart, they get a tangible reminder of the goal they’re working toward! Work together at the beginning of the week to come up with the goal for the week, as well as the reward. Their goal does not have to be 100%. Remember, toddlers are just tiny people who have off days or lazy days, just like us! They won’t complete everything every single day, so don’t set that expectation. Also, there will be days you may not be home for most of the day, so setting a goal for about 70% completion is more reasonable.

In our “Happy Helper Chart,” I have left two spaces for tasks blank so that you can add in any tasks that you would like your child to help with, specific to your family. Click here to download our toddler chore chart! I can’t wait to hear the stories of how implementing this new system in your house changes how things get done! Email your success stories/pics to hello@littlelinus.com to get featured on our website! And as always, thank you for your purchase!