As your little one begins to grow up and gains a little independence you can give him or her a little responsibility too. Making clean up time a family affair teaches children many valuable lessons like cleaning is something that is done by men and women, household chores get done faster when everyone helps out, and what it is like to be responsible for something.

Depending on the age of your child there may not be a whole lot your child can do. However, even toddlers can help out with clean up chores a little bit. Here are a few things you can do with your young children to get them in the spirit and act of helping out with household chores.

• Have your child help with cleaning up their toys as soon as they are old enough. You can build this into their bedtime routine.
• Let your child help clean up the dinner table by carrying unbreakable objects to the kitchen for you or wiping down the dining room table.
• Purchase a little broom and dust pan for your little one and have them sweep up the crumbs in the kitchen.
• Teach them how to put their own clothes in the laundry hamper. You can start this one pretty early.
• Let them help make their bed in the morning and when they are old enough give them that as one of the chores they do on their own.
• Let them help you take the garbage out. They may not be able to carry much, but even just carrying a small bag will help them feel part of the task and teaches them something new.

Be creative and make it fun. Think of chores you do throughout the day that have a little part to them that your child can help with. Kids love to feel like they are being helpful and “grown up”. Having them begin helping out with chores early on will make assigning them chores later a little easier (at least it might!).

What little chores do you give your young children? What chores do they like helping out with the most?