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Is that realistic, though? How much can you expect children to actually handle?
It's important that you assign age-appropriate tasks that increase along with your child's abilities.
Here are a few examples of what you may expect:
Toddlers
A toddler can help parents with pet care simply by being involved: "helping" a parent fill food and water dishes, grooming, going with parents to take the dog for a walk or to the veterinarian. Another good trick is to have the toddler give the dog a treat for good behavior, such as getting in the crate before the family leaves the house. The toddler and the pet both enjoy this special job!
5-7 Year Olds
This age group is capable of doing some of the tasks above (feeding, watering, grooming) without parental help. Still, you can't expect that a child this age will remember to do these jobs without reminders from mom or dad.
8-12 Year Olds
Parents still need to supervise children in this age group for some tasks, like walking the dog. Before a child is 10-12 years of age it's not advised that they walk a dog without adult supervision. However, the child can feed, water and play with the dog alone (depending on the dog's temperament and area for exercising).
Teenagers
Depending on your teen's maturity, you can sometimes allow them to take full responsibility for the dog, including feeding, cleaning up after, driving to the veterinarian and exercising the pet. Allowing teens to take the dog to obedience classes can also be a good activity for both.
Kids of all ages can assume varying levels of responsibilities for family pets. Encourage them to think of this as a privilege and responsibility, but never present it as a punishment for bad behaviors. Pets are part of the family and families work together to take care of each other!
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Pets have a special appeal to children of all ages. Pets represent a special friendship and just like you see in the movies, kids are quick to assure parents that they'll "do all the work" involved in pet maintenance. 
