Empty plates left on the table, backpacks strewn all over the floor, overflowing laundry baskets, and toys cluttering the car. If your kids sulk or run and hide when you ask them to do a simple task, why not consider creating a chore chart and reward them for their good behavior? By actually keeping a record of the tasks completed, your children feel more motivated to help around the home. Kids are never too young to start taking responsibility and doing a few of their own chores to learn the value of a dollar.
Read on to find out how children can help around the house with the help of a chores chart!
Chores charts are used to track and organize various household tasks. They usually look like calendars and are stuck onto the wall or refrigerator. However, they’ve evolved over time, and some now feel more official, consisting of metal sheets with magnets holding the chore sheets in place. There are many reasons why chores charts for kids are a great idea: They make kids feel helpful and capable of accomplishing tasks. Plus, doing tasks and odd jobs is important for a child’s development, so the earlier they begin, the better. Practice makes perfect!
When creating a chores chart for your kids, there are many things to consider. Think not only about which tasks should be done daily or weekly but also consider which chores for kids are suitable for their age. Getting a three-year-old to cut the grass was never going to end well.
Even children as young as two or three years old can help out with some household chores. The important thing is to integrate them in a playful way so it’s fun for them. That way they don’t see it as something they have to do. From setting the table to helping put away clean laundry, these particular chores for kids can be educational since children learn names, colors, and numbers. As soon as they start elementary school, kids can take on even more responsibility. This means they can take over household tasks such as dusting, feeding pets, and watering flowers.
School, friends, relationships, and sports are probably much more important to your teen than helping with household chores. How do you get them take part then? It’s important for them to feel they can decide what responsibilities they want to take on for themselves. So give them a choice: Either vacuum or mop the floor. Are all your kids all arguing over the same chore? Have a chore lottery! Write down all the household chores on small pieces of paper and put them into a hat. Everyone takes one out, and it’s pinned to the chore chart. Make sure that the distributed tasks are equally complex, so all the kids feel the situation is fair.
Don’t think you’re getting out of any housework! It’s important to set an example to your children. As a parent, make sure you stick to the schedule and do all your assigned chores. You also have a teaching role to fulfill: Show your children how to use the washing machine, how to fold the laundry, or what to pay attention to when cleaning the car. If one member of the family isn’t doing their chores properly or refuses to do them, talk to them about it and find out why.
Here are some tips to spice up the chore chart and make chores for kids more fun:
Collaborate: Chores are much more fun if you all work together. Even if most of the tasks are designed to be done by one person, find one or two where several people can help out. For example, put on some fun music and dance while putting away the kids’ toys. This helps to stop chores from feeling too monotonous and boring.
Encourage creativity: Why not let the kids design the chores chart themselves? Letting them contribute will help build trust, and entrusting them to organize the chart will help them better understand it. Go wild with colors and stickers to make it eye-catching.
Build lifelong skills: As teens get older, they may find the chore chart feels too childish, but this is the perfect time to turn it into a survival chart. Teach them to be independent and feel confident doing tasks they’ll need to do when they move out, such as ironing clothes, doing laundry, and changing the bed sheets.
Make chores a habit: Tasks become easier when they become a habit, so try to pair them up in the chore chart. For example, “always dry the sink after brushing your teeth,” “tidy up your toys after playing,” or “take your plate into the kitchen after eating.” Soon enough, these chores will become second nature.
Creating a chores chart for kids and keeping everyone happy is not always easy. But with these tips from Ask Team Clean, housework becomes child’s play - literally!