Discussion

Around what age can a child start doing household chores? Does their age determine their capabilities and productivity? Our survey and other research have demonstrated that parents encourage children to complete specific tasks around the household. Although there is no set-in-stone age, most people believe that there will be age-appropriate tasks children can achieve on a daily basis. In doing this, children establish a sense of responsibility and develop a strong work ethic in the future.

Female 78.6%

Male 21.4%

The majority of the participants, about 57.1% are currently in college,

while another 42.9% have either received a high

school diploma, a Bachelor's degree, or a

doctorate degree.

Single 71.4%

Married 21.4%

Divorced 7.1%

College Degree 57.1%

Bachelor's Degree 28.6%

High School Diploma 7.1%

A P P R O P R I A T E A G E S F O R H O U S E H O L D C H O R E S

The participants were divided between men and women, but the data shows that the

majority of the surveyed were female representing 78.6% of the sample

population.

DEMOGRAPHICS

This survey was conducted to determine the average age at which children should start doing household chores. The survey was given to 14 people without leaning towards a specific sex or race. It consisted of questions about age, sex, education, marital, status, and occupation. They were then asked at what age they think children should start doing several different kinds of chores like feeding themselves with a spoon, taking a bath by themselves, etc. Gathering all this information is helpful to see if there are any factors that might influence the age that the respondents think would be appropriate for children to start doing household chores. The participants were also asked if they spent time with their children or not to see if there was a relationship between the answer for this question and the age that they chose.

METHODS

The ages of the sample population range between 19

and 77 years of age, though the majority of participants, more

than 70% were between 19-27 years

old. Years of Age

N u

m b

er o

f P

eo p

le

A majority of participants, about 71.4%, are currently single, while

another 28.5% are either married or divorced.

Doctorate's 7.2%

Yes 71.4%

No 28.6%

Age 5 35.7%

Age 2 28.6%

Age 3 28.6%

Age 4 7.1%

0 2 4 6

Age 1

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5

Age 1 21.4%

Age 4 21.4%

Age 5 21.4%

Age 6 14.3%

Age 2 7.1%

Age 3 7.1%

Age 7 7.1%

Ag e 2

Ag e 3

Ag e 4

Ag e 5

Ag e 7

8 6 4 2 0

Amongst the participants, more than 70% spent time with

children either their own or others, while the other 28.6%

claimed they didn't.

The majority of the participants are employed, corresponding to 64.2% of the sample population. Another 35.8% are either unemployed, are students,

are in the military, or have already retired. The professions of

administration, retail, and insurance verification are the most common with

a percentage of 14.3% for each respectively. On the other hand,

another 14.3% corresponds to the unemployed participants.

Amongst the participants, 21.4% said that the appropriate age for a child to be able to bring an object to an adult, such as a shoe or remote control was 1 year. Similarly,

21.4% of participants said that the appropriate age was 4 years and another 21.4% 5 years. The other 35.8% ranged

between 2,3, 6, and7 years. The average age is 7 years.

RESULTS 35.7% of the participants thought that the appropriate age for a child to be able to help an adult to pick up toys and put them away was 5 years.The remaining 64.3% of the

participants thought that the average age was between 2,3, and 4 years. The average age is 3.5 years.

42.9%, thought that the appropriate age for a child to be able to feed himself or herself with a spoon was 3 years. 57.1% of the participants believed that children must be between the ages

of 1, 4, and 5. The average age is 3.25 years.

Half of the participants, 50%, thought that the appropriate age for a child to be able to dress himself or herself with

little help from an adult was 5 years.

Studies have shown that toddlers that are 18 months can help put toys away by age two or two and a half, they should have no problem packing

things away and putting them in the correct places.

According to the CDC most kids are able to feed themselves using a spoon by ten to twelve

months old.

The age that a child can be able to hand an object to someone is actually 4-7 months.

According to Parents.com children can dress themselves with little to no help from parents at the age of

18 months or actually younger.

Age 5 35.7%

Age 6 28.6%

Age 7 28.6%

Age 8 7.1%

This study analyzed and surveyed the sentiments of 14 individuals of different demographics about appropriate ages for household chores. The results are completely dependent on the responses of the participants and do not represent an entire population. The questions asked in the survey remained the same for all individuals, but responses were diverse due to their varying demographics (gender, age, education, marital status, and employment). The majority of the surveyed population was female, enrolled in college, single, and employed.

When it came to the age a child must be before they can help adults put away their toys, the majority felt that by the age of 2, they should be able to. Similarly, most felt that 1-3 years of age is a good year before the child can feed themselves with a spoon. Participants felt that children bringing an adult an object and dressing themselves were a bit more daunting, as most voted on the age of 4 as appropriate to do both of these things. Taking a shower on the child’s own seemed to be the most advanced task/chore, as most of the participants believed that they should be at least 5-6 years old to do so. Conclusively, the study and participants helped demonstrate the fact that based on demographics, there can be a wide range of differing beliefs when it comes to a particular subject. It helped in realizing the varying beliefs on age-appropriate household chores, and the possible correlation of the responses and the population.

How does giving chores to younger children benefit them as a whole? Is there a limit to how strict and how many chores can be given to a child? Does this differ with age? From a child’s point of view, would a chore be seen as a responsibility and mature task to have, or just a punishment that they dread to complete? Based on personal experiences, what age is better to start giving chores to children in which they benefit from them? What is the importance of giving certain amount of independence to children of young ages? How does this affect their overall cognitive development and learning process? How would the attitude of a child with no chores differ or relate to that of a child with chores?

CONCLUSION

QUESTIONS

35.7% of participants thought that the appropriate age for a child to be able to take a bath by

themselves was 5 years. According to the data, the average age is 6.5 years.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that 5 is the youngest age to be able to take a bath by

him or herself

REFERENCES Pathways. (2020, November 09). Find age-appropriate chores for kids: Activities for kids. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://pathways.org/chores-right-child/ Aguirre, S. (n.d.). Age-appropriate chore charts for children 2 to 18. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://www.thespruce.com/age-appropriate-chore-charts-1900357 CDC. (2020, October 08). Information for parents with children ages 4-11. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/parents/children/index.html Aacap. (n.d.). Chores and children. Retrieved February 25, 2021, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF- Guide/Chores_and_Children-125.aspx