Got Questions? We've got answers from experts and parents who've
been there. How can I get my toddler to help with chores?
Children ages 2 and up can pitch in with many different kinds of
tasks, like picking up their own clothes and toys, helping clear
plastic dishes from the table, and walking with piles of junk
mail to the recycling bin. Offer your child a mini bucket and
sponge to help you wipe off the table after dinner. Once your
kid can tell the difference between colors, ask for her help
when you're sorting laundry. The key is to show him how and to
make the chores as toddler-friendly as possible. Other ideas to
make cleanup easy: • Make sure everything has a place. Say, for
example, you want your son to put away his Legos when he's done
playing. Try cutting out a picture of Legos from a catalog or
printing one from the Internet and then taping it to the Legos
bin. He'll recognize the picture -- making the task more
exciting for him -- and soon, with your help, he'll understand
where his Legos belong a