The fourth Sunday of every July is Parents’ Day. The day was created to recognize, uplift and support the role of parents in our communities. In addition to being a day to honor parents, it’s also a good time to reflect on the role they play in raising the next generation. 

One aspect of being a good parent is teaching children life skills so they can go forward as adults to lead happy, healthy lives. These life skills include everyday tasks, like cleaning and doing the laundry. Here are some considerations to help ensure children are ready to take on these tasks as they grow into adulthood. 

Make sure the chore is age-appropriate. Preschoolers can put away unbreakable dishes and playthings. Older children can clear the table, help unload the dishwasher and make their beds. Teens and preteens can clean their own rooms, assist with laundry and help with dusting and other cleaning chores. 

Make safety a priority. Always provide proper adult supervision. Don’t allow children to use disinfectants, bleach or any product that has a warning on the label noting to keep it out of reach of children. Download our guide on what safety considerations to keep in mind when cleaning for different ages. 

Develop a cleaning schedule. This can be difficult in busy homes, but children do better when they know what’s expected of them and when it’s expected to happen. Work with children to create a plan together. 

Tap into interests. Many older children may have interests in areas like technology or sustainability and it can help to lean into these. For instance, kids can help clean screens in the home with microfiber cloth for a better gaming or entertainment experience.  Or kids concerned about the environment can help choose cleaning products that are made using sustainable practices.  

Teach them to read product labels. Show them what can be found on cleaning product labels, like ingredients, directions, and disposal information. Our infographic can help explain the main sections of a label and what to look for in each area.