Want your kids to get better grades, have a healthy social life, and just be happier? Give them chores.

Kids who were given household tasks in kindergarten, regardless of sex, family income, and parent education, reported getting higher math scores in third grade, according to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. They also reported having more positive relationships with their peers and higher life satisfaction than kids who weren't given chores.

The longitudinal study focused on about 10,000 children over a four year period.

In a recent post on LinkedIn, Wharton organizational psychologist Adam Grant said these findings show a "neglected predictor of success and happiness."

There might be other factors at play, Grant notes. "Of course we don't know if it's causal or if chores are the sole active ingredient—these parents may be doing many other things right."

But, parents can still take something from the results of the study, he wrote: "Giving kids responsibility shows trust and builds character."

Chores teach 'useful skills for when they're on their own'

Other experts echo this sentiment. Margaret Machol Bisnow, author of "Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dream," has interviewed 70 parents who raised highly successful kids and says one of their biggest regrets is not entrusting their kids with enough responsibility.

"Giving our children more chores not only helps them become responsible, it teaches them useful skills for when they're on their own," she wrote for CNBC Make It.

Kids ages four to five can do a number of chores by themselves, according to the Child Development Institute. Some suggestions include:

• Making their bed without supervision
• Watering flowers
• Putting away clean utensils
• Matching socks together
• Dusting with a cloth

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