Building Communication Skills Through Age-Appropriate Chores

Giving your toddler a purposeful activity every day is one of the best ways to build their confidence, independence, and—surprisingly—their communication skills!

When toddlers see you wiping the table after meals, sweeping the floors, or checking the mailbox, they naturally want to participate. These everyday routines become the perfect opportunity to teach them language, turn-taking, and responsibility—all while making them feel like a valued member of the family.

This toddler's purposeful task is sweeping leaves outside.

How Do Chores Build Communication Skills?

1. Repetition Strengthens Language Development – When you narrate tasks using the same words each time, your child begins to associate the words with actions. Saying, "We’re wiping the table! Wipe, wipe, wipe!" while they help makes language more meaningful.

2. Chores Encourage Back-and-Forth Exchanges – Even simple tasks, like handing you a napkin or putting a toy in a basket, teach them to respond and interact with you.

3. Songs Make Tasks Fun & Predictable – Singing a special mailbox song on the way to get the mail or using the classic Clean Up Song when putting toys away makes the routine feel enjoyable and reinforces communication through music.

Age-Appropriate Chores to Try With Your Toddler

✔ Wiping the Table – Hand them a small cloth and let them "help" while you clean. Use short, fun phrases: "Wipe, wipe, wipe! Oh wow, look the table is now clean!"

✔ Picking Up Toys – Sing a song while putting toys in a bin to make it feel like a game.

✔ Throwing Away Trash – Encourage them to carry a napkin to the trash can: "Put it in! Bye-bye napkin!"

✔ Fetching the Mail – Narrate the walk: "Let’s go to the mailbox! Step, step, step! Oh, I see the mail! Let's open the mailbox and look inside. Oh! I see a letter! Let's get it. "

✔ Sorting Laundry – Hand them socks to match or let them drop clothes in a basket while you name colors: "Here’s a blue shirt! You found another sock!"

✔ Sweeping with a Toddler-Sized Broom – Show them how to push the broom and describe it: "Sweep, sweep! Sweep it into the bin so we can take them away. You’re helping clean up!"

Pro-Tip: Give each chore a clear start and finish—like sweeping leaves into a bin and tossing them into the compost pile—to help with feelings of accomplishment! --Rachel Lynn, SLP

Lifelong Benefits Beyond Toddlerhood

One of my favorite things about this strategy? These early routines shape lifelong habits! Someday, your child’s future partner may thank you when they instinctively find comfort in tidying up, sorting laundry, or sweeping the floor—because these small habits became a natural part of their daily rhythm.

Try It & Share Your Experience!

Have you included your toddler in chores? What tasks do they love to "help" with? Let me know in the comments!