The Right Chore for the Right Age
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Cheryl Roberts, director of education at the Gesell Institute of Human Development, describes what "meaningful" means, in terms of children's work: "It's work that is interesting and challenging without being too difficult; work that has tangible results; work that offers accomplishments that are satisfying." She helped us sort out the best jobs for different ages:
12-month-olds: "Great imitators."
Characteristic: Newfound mobility
Skill: Grasp and release
Good jobs:
18-month-olds: "Can't do everything they think they can."
Characteristics: Problem solving; new attention span
Skills: Strength and coordination
Good jobs:
2-year-olds: "Routine and ritual are very important."
Characteristics: Increased hand-eye coordination and concentration
Skills: Following directions, sorting
Good jobs:
3-year-olds: "Work is still play."
Characteristic: More awareness of significance of help
Skills: Sorting and arranging
Good jobs:
4-year-olds: "Love anything new and relish their independence."
Characteristics: Increased precision; increased sense of responsibility
Skills: Making things; taking things apart and putting them back together
Good jobs:
5-year-olds
"Like to please."
Characteristics: Sense of confidence; expanded curiosity about how things in the house work
Skills: Understanding what a job is; tackling even uninteresting jobs
Good jobs:
6-year-olds: "Full of energy and enthusiasm."
Characteristic: Independence
Skills: Beginning reading and math
Good jobs:
