I’ve been wondering if there’s a link between children doing chores at home and how well their brains work. It seems like doing chores might help kids think better because they have to plan stuff, control themselves, switch between different tasks, and remember what to do.
A study asked over 200 parents about their kids (ages 5-13) and what chores they do at home. They also asked about how well the kids can think and solve problems.
The results were pretty interesting! Kids who did chores for themselves (like making their own food) and for their family (like cooking for others) seemed to have better memory and self-control. This was true even when they looked at the kid’s age, if they were a boy or girl, and if they had any disabilities.
Funny enough, taking care of pets didn’t seem to make a difference in how well kids could think.
The people who did the study thought we should look into this more. Maybe parents can help their kids’ brains grow by giving them more chores to do. Or we could use things like cooking classes to help kids who have trouble thinking and remembering.
What do you all think about this? Have you noticed your kids getting smarter from doing chores?
I’ve seen similar things with my kids. My 10-year-old started helping with laundry last year. At first, it was just sorting colors, but now she can do a whole load by herself. It’s amazing to see how she plans it out and remembers all the steps.
My 7-year-old likes to help in the kitchen. He’s gotten really good at measuring ingredients and following recipes. I’ve noticed he’s more patient now and better at solving problems on his own.
We don’t have a strict chore schedule. I just ask them to help out when needed. They usually enjoy it, especially if we make it fun with music or little games.
I think doing chores has helped them in school too. They seem more organized and better at managing their time. It’s been a gradual process, but definitely worth it!
Your post reminds me of my own experiences with my kids. When they were younger, I noticed that doing chores seemed to help them in unexpected ways. My daughter, at 8, started helping with meal planning. She’d write grocery lists and organize ingredients. Over time, I saw her getting better at planning other things too.
My son was different. He struggled with routines until we made a chore chart together. Checking off tasks improved his focus, even for schoolwork. It wasn’t instant, but I saw changes after a few months.
I think the key was finding chores that matched their interests and abilities. My daughter loved cooking, so kitchen tasks were her thing. My son preferred outdoor work like raking leaves.
It’s tough to say if chores directly made them smarter, but I definitely saw improvements in their planning and problem-solving skills. Plus, they learned valuable life skills along the way.
That’s an interesting study! I’ve noticed my 5-year-old seems more focused after helping with simple tasks like sorting laundry or setting the table. It’s still hit or miss though.
I’m curious about the types of chores that might be best for cognitive development. Did the study mention if certain tasks were more beneficial than others? Or if it matters how often kids do chores?
We’re still figuring out our chore routine. Some days my kid is excited to help, other days not so much. I’d love to hear how other parents handle this and if you’ve seen improvements in your kids’ thinking skills from doing chores.
I’ve been experimenting with chores for my 11-year-old. We started a ‘Chore Challenge’ where tasks earn points towards screen time or small rewards. It’s been interesting to watch.
My kid’s gotten pretty creative with laundry sorting and coming up with efficient ways to do dishes. There’s definitely more thinking involved than I expected.
School-wise, I’ve noticed better organization with homework. Not sure if it’s directly related to chores, but the timing lines up. We’re still figuring out what works best, but so far the results seem positive.
