When I tell people that my four-year-old makes her own bed (usually), wipes down her dining table after meals (occasionally), and throws away her trash without being asked (sometimes forks and spoons too! lol), their eyes get wide. I get it. It’s easy to assume toddlers are too little to help, but in my home at least, I’ve found the opposite to be true: they want to help. In my opinion, chores aren’t punishment—they’re just part of being on a good team.

Now don’t get me wrong—this doesn’t mean I’m off sipping coffee while my kids run the household. Nola is 4, and Stevie is 21 months. The bar is lowwwww. But the pride they feel when they complete their “jobs” is priceless.

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What My Kids Are In Charge Of (So Far)

Here’s what it looks like in our house right now:

Nola (4 years old):

• Makes her bed in the morning
• Puts her dishes in the sink after meals
• Wipes down the table after eating
• Throws away trash
• Wipes down the bathroom sink after brushing her teeth
  

Stevie (21 months):

• Picks up toys in the playroom at the end of the day
• Throws away small pieces of trash (with help opening the lid)
• Brushes her teeth with assistance
  

It’s not perfect or consistent every single day, but these small habits are building something bigger: a sense of capability.

Shout Out to Montessori School

A big part of our success with toddler chores comes from the fact that both girls attend a Montessori school. If you’re not familiar, the Montessori method emphasizes child-led learning, independence, and practical life skills. It encourages children to participate in real tasks—like cooking, cleaning, and organizing—as a way of learning about their environment and themselves.

Montessori philosophy treats children with respect and trust, assuming they are capable of more than we often give them credit for. And once you start to trust your kids with little responsibilities, you realize just how much they can do.

Why I Think It Matters

We’re not raising kids just to be cute (though mine are exceptionally cute, if I do say so myself). We’re raising future adults. I want my daughters to grow up feeling confident in their ability to make a meaningful contribution. I want them to see that their efforts matter and that taking care of their space is a form of self-respect. And truthfully? I want them to see housework as something shared, not something that only moms do.

If you’re interested in introducing your little ones to household chores, here's a breakdown of what I’ve found to be age-appropriate for them. Of course, you know your baby better than me, so eat the fish and leave the bones as they say.

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Chores for Toddlers: What’s Age-Appropriate?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet of chores for kids under 5. Remember: it's more about the routine than perfection. We’re building skills, not running a cleaning service.

Ages 1–2 (with help):

• stayingPicking up toys
• Throwing trash in a bin
• Wiping up spills with a small cloth
• Brushing teeth with help
  

Ages 3–4:

• Making the bed (loosely)
• Putting dishes in the sink
• Wiping tables or counters
• Watering plants
• Feeding pets (with supervision)
• Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
  

Age 5:

• Setting and clearing the table
• Folding small towels or clothes
• Helping pack lunch/snacks
• Dusting with a dry cloth
• Helping sort laundry
  

Rewards Without Bribes (or Bribes...You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do)

We use a simple sticker chart for Nola—not as a bribe, but as a visual tracker. Every time she completes her daily jobs, she gets to put on a sticker. After a week of stickers, she gets to choose a small reward: a trip to the park, picking a treat at the grocery store, or staying up 15 minutes past bedtime…you get the idea.

The key here is consistency over perfection. Some days are messier than others, but the goal isn’t a spotless house—it’s raising kids who believe they’re capable of making a difference in the spaces they occupy.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been hesitant to introduce chores, start small. Invite your little one to help you. Don’t expect speed. (In fact, expect the opposite. Things will take forever.) But what you’re gaining isn’t just a cleaner house—it’s a confident, capable kid who feels like a real part of the family team. To me, that is worth every sticker and every spilled cup of water along the way.

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