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Helping Hands
Chores for Little Helpers
By Tice Swackhamer
Your toddler wants to help with the household chores. More often than not, you can count on two things: 1) The chores will take twice as long, and 2) you'll have to clean up once the chores are done. But kids love to help, and the sooner they learn basic skills, the sooner they'll become your partners at cleanup time. So here are a few tasks that even toddlers can do with just a little training.
Folding Laundry
Matching socks is a good way to get started. Most adults don't like to do this anyway, and it can keep a toddler occupied for quite some time. Begin by asking him to separate the dark colors from the light ones, then see if he can match up the pairs. Later, he can sort the clothes by category – shirts here, pants there – and even put his own clothes in his dresser drawers. Setting/Clearing the Table
A child can be a whiz at setting and clearing tables as long as she takes it one step at a time. Show her that the plates go in front of the chairs, and how to line up utensils (no knives, of course) and cups. Keep napkins in a handy basket so she can add these to the place settings on her own. Clearing tables is even easier. One Thanksgiving, my 3-year-old kept bringing me the dirty dishes as I filled the dishwasher. To my amazement, she had cleared the entire table and was wiping it down with a sponge by the time I had finished loading the dishwasher!
Loading/Unloading the Dishwasher
You rinse, he loads. Show your child that the wider rows on the top rack are for items such as glasses and small dishes, while the narrower rows on the bottom are for thin plates. While he's helping, he is also learning about shapes and sizes. If you can't stand the thought of a broken dish, consider buying a set of plastic plates and cups for everyday use. For unloading, let him hand you the dishes while you dry and put away. If any cups turned over during the cycle, let your child empty them into the sink. 
Making Beds
