Teaching Kids How to Do Laundry

Teaching the kids Laundry
As parents it is our duty to teach our children how to be independent and responsible adults. I have three MIT’s (Men in Training) living in my home and since they were very little I’ve taught them how to do laundry. Here is the guide that I have used for years to teach the kids how to do laundry. 

2-3 years old
– Put their laundry in the hamper (responsibility)
– Move clothes from the washer to the dryer (chore)

4-5 years old
– Continue 2-3 year old laundry tasks
– Put away clean clothes (responsibility)
– Sort clothes by color (chore)
– Match socks (chore)

6-8 years old
– Continue 4-5 year old laundry tasks
– Fold dish towels (chore)
– Learn how to operate the washer and dryer (chore)

9-11 year olds
– Continue 6-8 year old laundry tasks
– Operate washer and dryer under supervision (chore)

12-14 year olds
– Continue 9-11 year old laundry tasks 
– Fold clothes (chore)

15+ year olds
– Continue 12-14 year old laundry tasks
– Do their own laundry (responsibility)

No matter what age your children are when starting the Laundry Training, start at the beginning. Once they have mastered a level move on to the next one until they have reached their age group. Before you know it they’ll be doing their own laundry. I’m happy to say that one of my M.I.T.’s is over 15 and another will be 15 in a couple of weeks. I now have less laundry that I’m responsible for and I’ve done my job in preparing my kids. 

You may have noticed that I call some of the tasks that they do a responsibility and some a chore. In our home, there are three different categories that tasks fall under: (1) Responsibility, (2) Chores; and (3) Team Work. Each category teaches them something different. If you are interested in our method keep coming back and checking because I plan on doing a future post on this topic.

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