Chore Chart

Many children are visual learners and they enjoy seeing decorative pictures, art and even charts. Children are more likely to get their daily household duties done if they have a chore chart to reference each day. The work is not necessarily the problem with kids. In most cases, the kids are just not motivated enough to complete tasks on their own. A chore chart can help a child get motivated enough to do his or her work every day.

The chore chart needs to be age appropriate. Your teenage son is not going to be motivated with a “Good Job” sticker chart and stars just won’t do the trick. However, a visual schedule that eventually leads to a significant reward will. The reward does have to be significant. A treat will not do the trick. Teenagers usually prefer cash.

Many may argue that this teaches the adolescent to expect rewards every time he does what he is supposed to do, but it really does not. The chore chart functions like a work schedule. If all of the work is completed, the adolescent receives a kind of paycheck. This system teaches a work ethic that mimics the actual working world. It also teaches delayed gratification. The adolescent is not rewarded immediately.



Younger children are much easier to please. Some young children find the chart itself to be rewarding. They like getting undivided attention and praise from their parents. Add stickers to the activity and you have a child who will jump through hoops for the little rewards. The process also will be a reward in itself because most children want nothing more than to spend time with their parents.

This does not happen all at once. For some children, it is necessary to have tangible rewards associated with the chore chart. When you introduce they system, make sure to praise and provide a treat immediately after the child completes the task. The treats can be gradually faded as the child better understands the chore chart and how it functions.

Let’s not forget the adults. I created a chore chart for myself to help me manage my time. It is easy to get behind on household chores when you create your own schedule. Absent-minded people like me benefit from a chore chart to help us organize our time. I even include the tangible rewards, like a glass of wine or a new piece of jewelry. I’m still a kid at heart after all.