How to Write an Effective Chore Chart

A chore chart can be an effective communication tool that will help to keep your child apprised of what he is expected to do to help out on a regular basis. It can help to keep the house tidy and organized, and provide your child with a visual reminder of what he has accomplished, too. However, to make your chore chart a success, invest a bit of time in planning and family discussion before you post it on the fridge.

Things You'll Need

  • Dry-erase board
  • Colored tape (optional)
  • Colored dry erase markers
  • Magnets

Instructions

    • 1

      Make a list of chores that are appropriate for your child̵7;s age. The chore system will be more effective when the tasks are tailored to your child̵7;s capabilities. Toddlers and preschoolers often require your help or supervision, whereas older children can often work independently on increasingly complex household chores. A toddler can do chores, such as pick up her own toys under your supervision, help to make her bed, help you sort laundry and even dust with sock dusters on her hands. Preschoolers can help out with putting away groceries and feeding the pets as well as water flowers, make her bed and empty small wastebaskets. A school-aged child can sweep floors, tidy up her own bedroom, sort laundry and set the table. A preteen or teen can take on increasingly complex responsibilities, such as washing the car, doing the laundry and cleaning the kitchen.

    • 2

      Involve an older child in chore selection by calling a family meeting where you can discuss the chore options and get feedback from your child so he feels like an active family member whose contribution is important.

    • 3

      Create a chart that is visually engaging and easy to follow, or have your child help to create the chart to let her feel more involved. Start with a dry-erase board so you can modify chores later and use colorful tape or markers to draw the grid for the chart. Write the name of the chores down the left side of the chart and the days of the week across the top. When making a chart for toddlers and preschoolers, use pictures in place of words for the list of chores.

    • 4

      Design a system for marking off which chores have been completed. If the chart will keep track of one child̵7;s chores, use decorative magnets in any theme you like to mark off each task. If the chart will keep track of chores for multiple children, assign a particular symbol for each child, such as butterflies, sports balls, flowers or cars, and mark off the chores each child completes with these magnets instead.

    • 5

      Determine the reward and consequence system. If chores are a basic responsibility of being part of the family, discuss the reasons why your child̵7;s contribution is important. If you choose to reward your child for completing his chores, list the rewards along the bottom of the chart, along with what is required to reach those goals. For example, if your child must complete all his chores for the week to earn a later bedtime or curfew on Friday night, write ̶0;1 week of chores = 1 hour Friday night curfew extension.̶1; This provides your child with a visual reminder of his goal. Likewise, discuss with your child the consequences of not completing his chores. Natural consequences can occur, such as when your child fails to put his favorite shirt in the laundry pile, it isn't clean for school the next day. You might also choose to enforce other consequences, such as removing one of your child's privileges for consistent neglect of his chores.

    • 6

      Post the chart in a central area of the home, such as on the kitchen fridge. Help your child get in the routine of checking the chart every day first thing in the morning or after breakfast. Once your child starts working on her chores, be prepared to offer plenty of honest praise for a job well done.

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