Age Appropriate Responsibilities List

A while back one of my very favorite friends found for us a very special document.

Baking a pumpkin for a pie

... a listing of age-appropriate responsibilities (copied below). Yes, the answer to the question many of us frequently ask... what can our kiddos do or be asked to do?

She added, "The key to developing capable and competent children, is to have them be responsible for doing everything they are physically capable of.  Training is the big difference maker.  Time up front (patiently) training will yield huge, huge rewards in their responsibility, accountability, productivity, and self-confidence. Use this only as an idea generator....Each child is unique."

What are your kiddos able to do that has surprised you?
Smiles, 

Taken from: New Life Website - See below 

(Dependent in the early years on verbal/motor development)

9 - 24 months

• Putting dirty clothes in hamper.
• "Helping" with grocery shopping (putting items in basket and on check-out counter, handing things to mom to be put away at home.)
• Cleaning with mom (give child a dust rag, child size broom, empty spray can/windex bottle for "pretend" cleaning).
• Watering plants (with pre-measured amounts!).
• Beginning to help make beds - (begins with handing the pillows to mom until later).
• Yard work (helping collect trash and toys, etc.).
• Simple errands ("bring the diaper to mommy, please," etc.).

2 - 3 years

• As language develops, requiring politeness on a regular basis ("Yes ma'am", "No sir", "May I please be excused", greeting, etc.).
• Generally including child in every-day activities on a regular basis (cleaning, shopping, etc.).
• More complicated errands ("Take this towel and put it in the hamper", etc.).
• Laundry (beginning to help with sorting by mom handing him things to put in appropriate piles, transferring clothes from dryer to basket, etc.).
• Learning more specific neatness qualities (putting toys in proper spots).
• Taking his dishes to the sink and helping to clear table.
• Carrying groceries in from car (give child one light item or a small bag).
• General errands (carrying diaper bag into meeting, carrying mom's purse to the car, etc.).
• Simple decision-making ("Would you like juice or milk to drink?").
• Put books and magazines in a rack.
• Place napkins, plates, and silverware on the table.
• Clean up what they drop after eating.
• Toilet training.

3 -4 years

• Making bed (begins with watching mom -- mom helping child -- mom watching child) standards must be clear and reminders frequent.
• Keeping room neat and taking daily responsibility for it.
• Regular morning routine becoming established (getting dressed, cleaning room before breakfast).
• More complex decision-making ("Would you like to wear the blue or green pants?").
• Becoming "other-oriented" (drawing pictures for someone, making encouragement notes to dictate to mom, thank you notes for birthday gifts).
• Learning to use the telephone properly.
• Established and regular responsibilities (bedroom, getting the mail, emptying bathroom trash cans, etc.).
• Helping wash the car.
• Simple hygiene - brush teeth, wash and dry hands and face, and brush hair.
• Undress self - dress with some help.
• Carry boxed or canned goods from the grocery sacks to the proper shelf.

4 - 5 years

• Taking his laundry to designated place on laundry day.
• Sorting laundry with supervision.
• Begin learning to fold laundry and put it away.
• Hang socks, handkerchiefs, and washcloths on a low line.
• Vacuuming/sweeping.
• Cleaning table after meals.
• Helping with meal preparations (learning to measure, stir and use small appliances).
• Spread butter on sandwiches.
• Prepare cold cereal.
• Help mother prepare plates of food for the family dinner.
• Make a simple dessert (add topping to cupcakes, pour the toppings on ice cream).
• Hold the hand mixer to whip potatoes or mix up a cake.
• Setting the table.
• Taking out the trash.
• Helping make decisions about meal choices, outings, time with friends, etc.
• Carrying groceries in from the car and putting them away.
• Help with grocery shopping and compiling a grocery list.
• Follow a schedule for feeding pets.
• Help do the dishes or fill the dishwasher.
• Dust the furniture.
• Share toys with friends (practice courtesy).
• Tell parent his whereabouts before going out to play.
• Play without constant adult supervision and attention.
• Sharpen pencils.

5 - 6 years

• Unsupervised responsibilities (making bed, washing out trash cans, etc.).
• More complicated meal preparations (making frozen juice, toast, scrambling eggs, cutting with blunt knife, baking).
• Make own sandwich or simple breakfast, and then clean up.
• Pour own drink.
• Prepare the dinner table.
• Tear up lettuce for the salad.
• Helping with younger siblings (changing diapers, helping with bath, bottle feeding, entertaining while mom is out of the room, feeding/dressing toddler siblings).
• Laundry (sorting, learning to use the washer/dryer, measuring detergent, fold clean clothes and put them away).
• Cleaning (using cleaning supplies properly, cleaning unsupervised areas like bathtub or polishing furniture, clean mirrors and windows).
• Sons -- carrying "heavy" things for mom and helping with yard work.
• By this time child will begin to carry out responsibilities unasked and begin to offer help in areas parents don't require help in.
• Make bed and clean room.
• Dress on own and choose outfit for the day.
• Learn to tie shoes.
• Answer the telephone and begin to dial the phone.
• Yard work.
• Pay for small purchases.
• Help clean out the car.
• Take out the garbage.
• Decide how he wants to spend his share of the family entertainment fund.
• Feed his pets and clean the living area.

6 - 7 years

• Simple meals prepared (making sandwiches for lunch, preparing drinks, fixing breakfast for mom and dad, preparing salad for dinner, peel vegetables).
• Regular quiet time becoming a part of daily routine.
• Totally unsupervised laundry responsibilities when needed.
• Increased responsibilities for younger siblings (dressing infants/toddlers, entertaining them for longer periods by reading to them/playing records, etc., helping school them).
• Learning the purpose and beginning usage of tools (lawn mower, hand tools, etc.) and helping with home maintenance.
• Shake rugs.
• Water plants and flowers.
• Prepare own school lunch.
• Hang up own clothes in the closet.
• Rake leaves and weed.
• Tie own shoes.
• Care for own minor injuries.
• Keep the garbage container clean.
• Clean out inside of car.
• Straighten or clean out silverware drawer.
• Oil and care for bike.
• Take phone messages.
• Run errands for parents.
• Sweep and wash patio area.
• Water the lawn.
• Wash dog or cat.
• Train pets.
• Take pet for walk.
• Carry in the grocery sacks.
• Get self up in the morning and go to bed at night on own.
• Carry own lunch money and notes back to school.
• Leave the bathroom in order.
• Do simple ironing.

8 - 10 years

• Complete responsibility for their rooms on a daily basis (bed making, dresser drawers, closet, vacuuming, etc.).
• Unsupervised yard work (i.e., lawn mowing, edging, clean-up, gardening).
• More complex meal preparations (pour and make tea, coffee, and instant drinks, using sharp instruments, baking, using appliances, beginning meal planning).
• More difficult cleaning projects (scrubbing kitchen floor, windows, cleaning appliances).
• Summer jobs (lawn mowing, dog sitting, babysitting, odd jobs for vacationers).
• Financial planning (computing percentages for saving, tithing, offerings, gift-giving and assuming responsibility with parental oversight).
• Beginning car maintenance (helping dad with minor repairs, learning tool usage, washing/waxing).
• Help rearrange furniture. Help plan the layout.
• Run own bathwater.
• Help others with their work when asked.
• Shop for and select own clothing and shoes with parent.
• Change school clothes without being told.
• Fold blankets.
• Sew buttons and sew rips in seams.
• Clean storage room.
• Clean up animal "messes" in the yard and house.
• Cut flowers and make a centerpiece.
• Pick fruit off trees.
• Build a campfire, get items ready to cook out (charcoal, hamburgers).
• Paint fence or shelves.
• Help write simple letters.
• Write thank-you notes.
• Help with defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator.
• Feed the baby.
• Clean patio furniture.
• Wax living room furniture.
• Change sheets and put dirty sheets in hamper.
• Buy groceries using a list and comparative shopping.
• Cross streets unassisted.
• Keep own appointments.
• Receive and answer own mail.
• Wait on guests.
• Plan own birthday.
• Simple first aid.
• Do neighborhood chores.
• Sew, knit, or weave (even using a sewing machine).
• Do chores without a reminder.
• Learn banking and to be thrifty and trustworthy.
• Handle sums of money up to $5.00.
• Be alone at home for short periods.
• Proper conduct when staying overnight with a friend. Pack own suitcase.
• Responsible for personal hobby.

11 - 12 years

• Join outside organizations, do assignments, and attend. Able to take responsibility as a leader.
• Put siblings to bed and dress them.
• Clean pool and pool area.
• Respect others' property.
• Run own errands.
• Mow lawn with supervision.
• Help Father build things and do family errands.
• Schedule himself time for studies.
• Buy own sweets or treats.
• Responsible for a paper route.
• Check and add oil to car under supervision.

13 - 15 years

• Determine how late he should stay up during the week. Also determine how late he should be out for evening gatherings (through mutual parent-child discussion and agreement).
• Responsibility for preparing family meals.
• Social awareness: good health, exercise, necessary rest, correct weight, nutritious food, physical examinations.
• Anticipate the needs of others and initiate the appropriate action.
• Acceptance of capabilities and limitations.