Getting Your Kids Involved with Spring Cleaning

Introducing chores to your kids can be as much of a chore as doing the actual work, but involving your kids in housework and spring cleaning can benefit them greatly. Engaging in housework will teach your kids responsibility and contributing to chores will help your kids realize that they play an important role in running the household. Kids will also learn about organization and self-discipline, which are essential to many aspects of life.

When kids work on chores together - either with siblings or their parents - it helps them learn to compromise and collaborate on tasks. They can assign themselves different roles and it will help them learn to be flexible and take responsibility. Your kids will gain confidence and grow self-esteem from their ability to accomplish tasks around the house.

Tips for Spring Cleaning:

• Promote teamwork. On their own, chores can feel like a sentence, but working alongside you or a sibling, the teamwork and camaraderie can motivate them or make a chore more bearable.
• Don’t wait until they are done to praise or thank them. Encouraging your kids as they work on a task can build positive momentum and will boost their self-confidence.
• Don’t tie chores to money because it is important for kids to associate chores as a contribution to something bigger—helping the family run smoothly and responsibly. Instead, motivate your kids with a healthier experience, like going to their favorite restaurant, engaging in a fun family activity, or watching a new or favorite movie.
• Delegate chores on a list or divide jobs between “teams” to make them feel more independent and capable. Having a healthy competition to see who can accomplish their jobs the fastest can be a fun way to finish the chores.
• Make it fun. Make up your own games to complete chores, or play an audiobook or some upbeat music.

For more tips to make spring cleaning less of a chore, visit Spring Cleaning: 13 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Involved.

Some chores need to be assigned based on your kids’ ages - not all chores are appropriate for every kid to be assigned. You’ll know best which chores your children are able to complete, but below is a guide to get you started:

Ages 2 to 3

Note: These tasks will require supervision.

• Put toys away
• Put clothes in hamper
• Dress self
• Help feed pets
• Help clean spills

Image by Donne Ray Jones via Flickr

Ages 4 to 5

Note: Kids can start following a chore wheel.

• Make their bed
• Help clear the table
• Water flowers
• Wipe baseboards
• Pull weeds and plant seeds
• Unload utensils
• Dust
• Empty wastebaskets
• Purge clothing and toys
• Strip the bed linens
• Wipe down walls and cupboard doors

Ages 6 to 7

• Sort laundry
• Clean kitchen counters
• Set and clear table
• Sweep kitchen floors
• Help pack lunch
• Keep room tidy

Image by David D via  Flickr

Chores for Ages 8 to 9

Note: Kids can start working independently with a chore chart.

• Make personal snacks
• Vacuum
• Put away groceries
• Load dishwasher
• Put away laundry
• Take pet for a walk
• Help make dinner

Ages 10 to 12

• Fold laundry
• Clean light fixtures
• Learn to use washer and dryer/ Do laundry
• Clean kitchen
• Help clean and vacuum car interior
• Reorganize books, movies, and video games
• Take care of houseplants
• Help maintain appliances like light bulbs, vacuum bag
• Mow the lawn

Chores for Ages 13 and Older

• Babysit
• Make meals
• Help paint
• Can supervise younger siblings
• Rearrange room
• Clean bathroom
• Sew/iron clothes
• Dog sit
• Shampoo the carpet
• Organize closets
• Deep clean appliances
• Responsible for maintaining own car

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a bore. Engage in age-appropriate chores and encourage your kids to help out!

The Positive Outcomes of a Fundraising Student

The Fun in Fundraising

Fundraising is a mutually beneficial endeavor. For the giver, it provides them with the knowledge that their contribution is helping to make a difference. As for the receiver, they are able to use those contributions towards helping those in need. Yet, this could not be achieved without the individuals who collect these contributions. For school fundraisers, these collectors are the students themselves, and they receive an array of benefits from their fundraising experience.

The Many Perks of Helping Others

First of all, these students are building confidence. It can be intimidating to ask for funds as a young student. These students are prone to meet new people that are interested to hear why the funds are needed. The students then discuss the cause in hopes that their words will inspire others to give. Not every individual will donate, but when one does, the student will build the confidence to continue asking others.

Another benefit of fundraising for students is that it provides healthy competition. Students enjoy working for something when they know there is a reward at the end of it. This will cause the student to understand that the more effort put into something the more they will receive in the end.

Lastly, these students will learn about responsibility. Many fundraisers provide students with a folder in which to collect funds. These folders are entrusted with students and they have full responsibility of the contents inside. This shows the students that the success of the fundraiser is quite literally in their hands, and they will be more cautious of how they care for the collected funds.

Fundraising is an Accomplishment

The most important benefit is the feeling of accomplishment. Whether these students raise one dollar or a hundred, they help their school get nearer to a goal. At Paragon Promotions, we believe that fundraisers will continue to be a successful way for schools to reach their goals- one reason being the students, another being us. We want nothing more than to see every school grow to provide their students with the best possible education and experience. Visit us here, and discover how we can help your school achieve your goals.