All parents wish that their children would take it upon themselves to do their chores each day without being told several times to do it. Kids need to learn responsibility at some point in their lives and I believe that the younger a child learns key values, the better of they are. This is a quick and easy chore chart to make, and your children will love being rewarded for a job well done. Enjoy!
My wife and I have three children ages eight, seven, and one year, we have been using this chart for a little over two years now and the children love it. They are to the point that we rarely have to ask them to do any chores on the list, and they are always asking if they can do more. They take it upon themselves to complete the tasks each and every day.
Most kids get some sort of allowance anyway, so why not teach them at a young age the true value of a dollar? My children get a sense of pride when they get their “pay” every other week, and they do a great job (for their age) managing their money.
In this article, I will explain how I work the chore chart in my home. It has evolved a bit from my initial idea, but this chore chart is far more effective than the first several charts I created. I think the best thing about this chore chart (apart from its learning value to the kids) is that my children actually ask to do extra chores now. They love the “bonus” money that these extra chores bring.
My chore chart is based on two children, you will have to adjust yours for how many kids are in your home.
Making the chore chart :
First things first, go to your local dollar store and buy a few sheets of poster board (most are 24″ x 36″), a marker, a ruler, and a sheet of stickers.
Step 1 : Cut the poster board in half (one sheet of poster board makes two chore charts). Each chart is good for two weeks.
Step 2 : Place the poster board in front of you so that it is higher than it is wide. Now draw a line 1/4″ right of center so it goes down the length of the poster board.
Step 3 : Starting at the top of the board, measure down the side of the chart two inches and make a mark, then make a mark every inch for the next 15 inches. Use the marker to make lines across the chore chart on the marks you just made.
Step four : Starting on the left end of the top line, measure 1/2″ to the right and make a mark. Now make a mark every 1 3/4″ across the rest of the chart. Use the marker to make lines running from the top line to the bottom line on the marks you just made .
Step 5 : Write your kids names in the top two boxes of the chore chart.
Step 6 : Starting in the second small box on the far left side column of the chore chart, write the days of the week (see example).
Step 7 : Starting in the second small square in the top row, write in four chores and write the word “extra” in the fifth. Repeat for second child.
Step 8 : Write the words “Above and Beyond” at the bottom of the chore chart.
That’s it, the chore chart is done. now all you do is have the children place a sticker in the right area each time they finish a chore. Determine how much each chore is worth and at the end of the two weeks pay them accordingly. I use the extra spot in case they do an extra chore I ask of them, and I use the “above and beyond” part if I catch them doing something good on their own.
I have changed the rules slightly since I began the chart. I now start their allowance at $20.00 each and add or subtract money from that value according to how the chart looks at the end of the two weeks. If they do all four chores each day, they receive the full $20.00. For each chore not done, they lose $.50, and each extra sticker and above and beyond sticker is worth $.50. Basically, if the kids do all chores and a bonus chore each day, then they will receive $27.00 every two weeks. Its not really a lot considering that they buy their own video games and many of their own toys with it.
My son recently wanted a new bike even though there was nothing wrong with his old one. I told him I wasn’t going to buy a new one because the bike he had was like new and that it wasn’t too small for him yet. He saved up over $100 of his own money to but a new bike, helmet and lock. He did this on his own, and at the age of just seven. I was very proud of him. I believe this chore chart is really helping my children in a lot of ways; even their math skills have improved in a drastic way.
I hope this chart is a fun tool for you and your child to share. I am sure that you will soon see the great value that this chore chart holds, and also its ability to teach your child in a fun and rewarding way.
P.S. My eight year old daughter made the example of the chart for an extra sticker. This chart is great.
