Chores are an important part of growing up. It allows children to develop critical executive function skills. From about 12 years old until the late teens, the brain is busy growing more gray matter. The second and last time it will ever do this. Almost all of this growth is in the frontal cortex where we think. The eleven executive function skills develop here.
According to Smart but Scattered Teens by Richard Guare, PhD and Peg Dawson, EdD, there are five cognitive (thinking) skills: working memory, planning/prioritization, organization, time management and metacognition.
And six behavior (doing) skills: response inhibition, emotional control, sustained attention, task initiation, goal-directed persistence and flexibility.
Seeing them listed, you can see their importance in living an independent life which we all want for our children. At this point in time, the brain also pares away parts of the brain that aren’t being used (or skills being practiced) so as much use as possible is important to develop these important skills. At home you can help your child by having them do chores. You can skill learn these skills later in life, it is just harder. See past blog about chores for ages 6-9 to read about the importance of chores here.
If you are just starting out with chores, be sure to give immediate praise for a job well done and say Thank you. If needed give your child help when he is having trouble. Some chores will require some teaching but the time spent is well worth it for the future gain both is giving you time to do something else, giving him practice at using EF skills and needed skills for adulthood.
Click here for chores for ages 10-13
Click here for chores for ages 14-17
