Executive Functions and Chores for Kids

As parents and educators, we know how important it is for children to develop a sense of responsibility. Encouraging children to complete chores can help to achieve that goal. Did you know that improvements were observed in executive functions following chores for kids?

Chore engagement might improve executive functions, like planning and self-regulation. This is because when you are doing chores, you have to switch between tasks and remember what you are supposed to do. So far, not much research has been conducted on how household chores affect executive functions in children. Recently, researchers decided to take a closer look.

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY ON EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS AND CHORES FOR KIDS?

Parents and guardians of 207 children aged 5-13 years completed parent-report questionnaires on their child’s participation in household chores and their child’s executive functioning.

Following data analysis the results indicated the following:

engagement in self-care chores (e.g., making self a meal) and family-care chores (e.g., making someone else a meal) significantly predicted working memory and inhibition, after controlling for the influence of age, gender, and presence or absence of a disability.
there was no significant relationship between participation in pet-care chores and executive function skills.

The researchers concluded that further research is conducted to explore the relationship between chores and executive functions. It would be helpful to determine if a child’s executive function development can be improved through encouraging participation in chores, or can chore-based interventions (e.g., cooking class) be used to improve deficits.

REFERENCE

Tepper, D. L., Howell, T. J., & Bennett, P. C. (2022). Executive functions and household chores: Does engagement in chores predict children’s cognition? Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 1– 14. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12822