The Benefits of Chores: Tidy Up and Thrive

Executive Function and the Benefits of Chores

Executive function is a key buzzword in the world of parenting and education. Executive function is the set of mental skills that helps children plan, focus, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks. Its importance concerning a child's social and emotional development when completing chores is anything but a trend.

When children as early as age three participate in folding laundry, washing the dishes, or picking up their toys, this can lead to lifelong benefits related to self-esteem and responsibility. Down the line, these skills can enable children to succeed more in school, work, and relationships.

In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of chores, how to involve children, and how planning, frustration, delayed gratification, and negotiating show up during the routine, leading to success in crucial life skills.

Laundry and Remembering Instructions

When children are given the agency to try complex chores like helping with laundry, they develop self-esteem and confidence. Asking children to follow steps, like folding and putting away laundry, helps build their working memory, which is essential for handling complex tasks as they get older.

With little children, try grounding them before giving instructions. Are your eyes watching? Are your ears listening? Is your body calm?

Then try wording the chore like this: “First, I need you to take your clothes out of the dryer, and then I need you to put the pajamas in your drawer.”

Picking Up Toys and Self-Regulating

The Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development says self-regulation is a better indicator of success than intelligence or talent. On the surface, asking your child to pick up toys might seem trivial concerning success, but it requires a child to switch tasks and delay gratification of playing with their favorite games and gadgets.

Try wording it like this, “Once the toys are cleaned up, you'll have space to play with your favorite toy when it is time to play again.” This emphasis on cause and effect allows children to switch gears and focus on the future. You can also try, “Our family believes in making a happy and safe home. Can you help contribute to that by cleaning up your toys?”

Washing Dishes and Planning

Educational researcher and child development expert Lev Vygotsky's theory on executive function and play emphasizes that it is crucial for children to plan their play with explained rules and roles. This research can be applied through chores by asking a child to think about washing the dishes.

Try wording it like this, “Can you handle the dishes today? Which dish should go first? Should you use a towel or sponge? Can they go in the dishwasher, or are they things that need to be hand washed?”

According to Vygotsky, when children engage in this activity, they set goals and decide on their role, which ultimately will help their executive function skills, such as problem-solving and flexibility later on in life.

Setting the Table and Organization

Maria Montessori once said, "The child becomes a person through work." This quote highlights the importance of involving children in practical life tasks to build independence and self-worth. Setting the table is a perfect way to help children practice organization and sequencing. This chore helps children develop organizational skills and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they contribute to the household, reinforcing their role in the family while building executive function skills for future challenges.

Try wording it like this, “Can you put a plate, fork, and napkin at each spot? What comes next – cups or silverware?”

While children and adults might not like or even love participating in chores, research shows the benefits of chores outweigh the negatives regarding lifelong skills and success.

So the next time you hear moaning and groaning when doing the dishes is suggested, remember that hidden in this simple and remedial task are loads of social-emotional learning and executive function skills, laying the foundation for a successful life.