Practical Life and household chores at 5 years

At home practical life is all around us. Caspar doesn't have any set chores, except to participate in family life and contribute to our daily living. Sometimes times this is cleaning, sometimes this is looking after his brother or the family pets.

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I don't think any child would be happy doing the same thing day in day out. So we are always challenging Caspar, extending his thinking on how he can contribute. It helps as he gets older his skill level increases and his level of responsibility can increase. 

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He still doesn't like the noise of the vacuum but can tolerate it enough to get the job done. He can use the hot iron to iron simple items.

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He can count to accurately measure the water and add water conditioner for the hermit crabs (100mls of water to one drop of water conditioner). His level of responsibility for the care of our pets is increasing. 

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While he didn't cook this meal he is capable of stirring and watching it while I attend to other things. Setting the table, serving and pouring drinks, stacking the dishwasher, wiping benches, wiping dishes, emptying the dishwasher and composting are all things he will do regularly. 

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Emptying the washing machine, hanging up the washing, folding, making beds, picking up and putting away, taking out the garbage, there are so many things a five year old can do. I kind of like it this way. Caspar can see what needs to be done and do it, or respond to my requests. I much prefer it over boring him (and me) with nightly or weekly tasks. 

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Of course it doesn't take much to get Otis to help too. This carpet sweeper is now a good size for him. He doesn't need an introduction he just gets it out whenever he feels like it. It's a standard carpet sweeper from our supermarket but with the handle I removed one section so it has two screw together pieces instead of three, this was a tip from a reader.  And thank you dear readers for all of your tips, I truly am listening. 

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