Chores the Montessori way
In a Montessori home, chores are usually seen as a way for children to take part in family life and build independence, rather than as a duty or something to earn a reward for. Children are invited to help with real tasks, using tools sized for them, and are shown how to do each step.
Lists of chores by age, which circulate widely online, are best treated as loose guides. Children vary in size, coordination, and interest, and some items on popular lists are not realistic or safe for every child. Use your own judgment, and adjust to the child in front of you.
Safety rules for every age
- Supervise. The younger the child, the closer you should be. Young children should not do chores out of sight.
- Choking hazards. For children who still mouth objects, avoid small items such as coins, buttons, or loose small parts in sorting or laundry tasks.
- Cleaning products. Keep chemicals, detergent pods, and disinfectants locked away. For young children, use water and a cloth. Be careful when older children use cleaning products, and teach them to never mix products and to read labels.
- Sharp and hot items. Knives, graters, ovens, stovetops, and kettles need close adult guidance, and are not suitable for toddlers. Introduce them later and gradually, only when you judge your child is ready.
- Falls. Stools and ladders should be stable. Changing light bulbs, climbing on high shelves, or using ladders is generally best left to adults or much older children with supervision.
- Waste and hygiene. Rubbish bins can hold sharp or unsafe items. Wash hands after handling waste, and do not give young children tasks involving broken glass or food waste that could be unsafe.
- Pets. Supervise any pet care task, and wash hands afterward. Do not leave a young child alone with a pet.
- Electrical items. Keep young children away from plugs, cords, and appliances.
- Button batteries and magnets. Keep these away from children.
Toddlers (about 18 months to 3 years)
Toddlers often love to copy. At this age, the point is participation, not clean results.
- Putting dirty clothes in a basket.
- Wiping up a spill with a cloth.
- Wiping the table with a damp cloth.
- Carrying a small, unbreakable item to the table.
- Putting books or toys back on a low shelf.
- Watering a plant with a small watering can (check the plant is not toxic).
- Washing unbreakable dishes in a shallow tub, with supervision.
- Helping to match socks.
- Sweeping with a small broom.
- Helping to wash fruit.
See also our Montessori activities for 18-month-olds for practical life ideas with safety notes for toddlers.
Ages 3 to 5
Preschoolers often enjoy having a job. They can follow short sequences with demonstration.
- Setting the table with unbreakable dishes and cutlery that is not sharp.
- Clearing their own plate.
- Folding cloths or simple laundry.
- Putting away clean laundry.
- Preparing a simple snack with supervision, such as spreading soft toppings or washing vegetables.
- Making their bed in a simple way.
- Feeding a pet, with an adult nearby.
- Tidying toys into labeled baskets.
- Dusting low surfaces.
- Helping in the garden by watering or planting seeds (keep soil, fertilizers, and small seeds away from mouths). See pre-K plant activities for ideas.
Disinfecting items and handling cleaning products is not usually suitable for this age without close adult help. For related independence skills such as dressing and feeding themselves, see self-help activities for preschoolers, and for handwashing routines, hygiene lessons for preschoolers.
Ages 6 to 8
Children in this range can usually take on tasks that take more steps and are more regular.
- Making their bed.
- Sorting and putting away laundry.
- Setting and clearing the table.
- Packing a school bag.
- Helping with simple meal preparation, with adult guidance for any sharp tools or heat.
- Taking out recycling in a safe route.
- Caring for a pet with supervision.
- Sweeping and wiping surfaces.
- Changing a toilet paper roll, which is something many children can do.
Ages 9 and up
Older children can often take on more responsibility, with decreasing supervision as they show they are ready.
- Preparing simple meals, with guidance on knives and the stove.
- Washing dishes.
- Using the washing machine with instruction.
- Cleaning the bathroom with an appropriate product, once taught how to use it safely and with ventilation.
- Looking after a garden bed.
- Helping younger siblings with simple tasks, when an adult is also present.
Some online lists suggest very advanced tasks for older children, such as painting walls or home repairs. These depend on skill and safety, so use caution and make sure an adult is involved.
Tools and set-up
- Child-sized tools. A small broom, dustpan, cloth, and watering can are easier for small hands.
- Stool or step. A stable stool for reaching the sink or counter, with supervision.
- Low hooks and shelves. Lets children put away coats, bags, and toys.
- A caddy or basket. Keep cleaning cloths and sponges together.
- Labeled storage. Pictures or words show where things go.
For wider ideas on arranging the home, see our guide to Montessori at home.
How to teach a chore
- Choose a moment when you are not rushed.
- Show, don’t tell. Do the task slowly with few words.
- Break it into steps. For example, for table wiping: get the cloth, wet it, wring it, wipe, rinse, hang it up.
- Let your child try. Resist fixing every small mistake.
- Repeat over time. Skills grow with practice.
- Say what you noticed. “You wiped the whole table” can be more helpful than general praise.
When a child resists
- Make the task smaller or shorter.
- Do it together, and let them take over gradually.
- Offer a choice between two jobs.
- Check whether the task is too hard.
- Keep a regular time for chores so it becomes routine.
- Stay calm. Not every day will go well.
Whether to use rewards or allowance is a matter of family preference. Some Montessori-minded families avoid tying chores to rewards, while others do not. Choose what suits your family.
Questions parents ask
What age do you start giving children chores? Many families begin inviting children to help in simple ways in the toddler years, once they are walking and want to copy adults. Start with participation rather than expectations.
What is the right age for Montessori? Montessori programs exist for many ages, from infancy through adolescence. At home, you can start with small changes at any age.
What are some DIY Montessori activities I can do with my child? Many everyday tasks work, such as pouring, wiping, folding, and watering plants. See our Montessori lesson plans for 2 year olds for ways to plan them.
Related reading
Read our overview of Montessori at home for room-by-room ideas, or see Montessori activities for 18-month-olds for toddler-specific starting points.