Chore charts help kids know what is expected of them and show them what they've accomplished, and what's left to be done.
Younger children might have chores like "Make your bed", "Pick up your toys", "Put away your clothes". As they get a little older add a household chore or two like "Help Dust" or "Set the table".
For children who can't read yet, use pictures for the chore chart. Find some old magazines, or free clip art online and let them cut out pictures for their chore chart. When it's ready and the glue has dried slip it in a sheet protector sleeve that will work with a dry erase marker. As they do each chore each day, mark them of with a check mark, smiley face or star.
Chore charts work for older children as well, they know what is expected. It also takes pressure off of you as a parent, when they want to do something fun when their chores are done, rather than asking them about each thing, you just ask them if their chores are done. They can look at the list themselves, it teaches them responsibility.
Chore charts should be kept fairly simple, you can download some nice free ones at ChoreCharts.com.
Updated: DLTK has some great printables for kids, and they even guide you through creating chore charts with some of your kids favorite characters. Start your chore chart here!
Exmples of black/white for your child to color, and full color chore charts.
And a February one in Dora, all images are available in color or black and white:
I agree it's verry important to give your child a sense of pride in what they do. I'm always on the hunt for great children's books like that one and have recently discovered Bayard and their series of StoryBoxBooks, AdventureBoxBooks and DiscoveryBoxBooks. There's lots going on too:
ReplyDeleteThis Month Storybox has guest illustrator Helen Oxenbury fetured.
There's a Readathon happening in the UK and Ireland - http://discoveryboxbooks.com/readathon.php
There's a Ghost Drawing competition in AdventureBoxBooks assiciated with the Polka Theatre (http://www.adventureboxbooks.com/competition.php)
So sweet!!! I love that illustration! I love this post too: http://thekillskylark.blogspot.com/2008/06/jar-full.html
ReplyDeleteA good idea! :) I'm definitely having my children help me out someday! ;)
Blaze,
ReplyDeleteI actually have job jars on the guide for Friday, I like how she applied the job jar concept to the chores. I differentiate between them a bit in that the chore chart is what children are responsible for as a member of a household, and a job jar is full of the extra things they can do for reward or allowance.
Great ideas - kids crave disciplined and organized activities - what better way to get them to learn routines.
ReplyDeleteKids crave the discipline and organization - it's such a great idea to get them started on 'their' routine(s). Great post.
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