This is almost laughable that I am posting about doing chores. I really struggle to manage my own chores around the house and swore I wouldn’t use a chore chart for my kids. But, as I am learning in parenting, “Never say never,” has never been truer.
After becoming a parent, I realized how important it was to develop healthy habits in my child. As a teacher, I love a good visual aid, and as a reflective person, I realize how much I love a good checklist. Hence, I got over my weird annoyance and misconception of the good ol’ chore chart.
I know this isn’t a fancy chore chart with fun magnets or moving parts, but if you’re like me, you prefer a quick print (maybe laminate) and DONE. Rowan, my 4 year old is really taking ownership of this chart. We definitely don’t fill it in each day but even on the days the boxes don’t get checked, usually the jobs have been completed.
Following Through is a Pain
Let’s be honest. It’s a real pain to get our kids to do the insurmountable task of putting on clean undies. Obviously, it’s pretty daunting to think about following through on a chore chart. I’ll admit, it’s been frustrating at times.
However, with all new things, they take time and consistency. I find that my child is slowly adjusting to our new routine. Kid’s love to feel a sense of accomplishment as much as adults and I find it empowers my daughter (some days) to know she is contributing. I know I feel the same way when I’ve completed my “To-Do” list.
Also, I need to add that I’m pretty excited to get a little help with small tasks like putting away laundry and keeping our mudroom tidy. I really do get overwhelmed by the never ending demands of motherhood; knowing that someday the load might feel lighter makes it worth training my little helpers. And, for perspective, sometimes I need to just stop and play with my little mess makers. I can get so caught up in the to-do list that I forget to have fun with them!
Age Appropriate Chores
Expecting my child to contribute around the house has been a long slow work in progress and recently, at 4 1/2 years old, I realized Rowan is way more capable than I’ve recently given her credit for. I have found that each new stage of growing up/raising kids catches me off guard and I’m often behind the 8 ball when it comes to knowing what to require of her…or I’m the opposite and I expect way too much and my child just isn’t developmentally capable or ready (hello, emotions and impulse control…). Rowan and I are pretty happy with the tasks on her, “My First Chore Chart.” I’d say they are appropriate for our child.
I would love to hear from any readers what they require of their 4, 5, 6 + year olds in the chore department. My hope is that every few months, I can increase Rowan’s responsibilities as I find what is appropriate for each age and stage.
Chore Charts “Check Many Boxes” and Teach Multiple Skills
Pun intended: Chore charts “check many boxes” when it comes to the many things a child learns from reading a chart. Let me just quick step on my teacher soap box for a minute and share the multiple skills a child is learning from using a chore chart:
- The good feeling of completing a task and checking a box.
- Graph reading skills. Yes, math skills are on the list! Rowan finds the picture and slides her finger across the line of boxes to fill in the correct box each day. Friends, this is pre-graphing and it’s so good for your preschooler to explore this concept in a real life situation.
- Letter sounds. This is another great preschool skill to weave into your day! I used only the first letter for each day of the week for a reason (and “Th” for Thursday = digraph). This teaches initial sound recognition and offers another great pre-reading teaching point.
- The meaning of a word. I put simple word descriptions under each chore/task. Hopefully, some kids will start to notice these words as they correlate to each picture. Maybe your child will start sounding out words or noticing initial sounds here, as well.
- Patterns. Rowan has been obsessed with patterns this school year. If your child uses a different color for each day or just two or three for the week, you could have a discussion about patterns– another concept that preschoolers just love to notice and explore.
Motivation
At this time, we are not paying Rowan with money or other tokens or toys. We have decided to save “paying jobs” for extra special work like helping out with yard work, helping in the garden, etc. Although I’m excited to teach money management, tithing, giving, and the value of a dollar, I’m saving that for when she is older. I feel pretty strongly about developing some intrinsic motivation (desire to help out because it makes our house peaceful, comfortable, and joyful and the good feeling that gives) verses doing helpful things just to receive a toy, marble, or money in the piggy bank.
This is my first time parenting a child this age and I may change my tune and strategies. Like I said, I don’t have it figured out. But this makes sense in my mind, has worked for other experienced parents, seems to be working for us, and we will find out if that continues!
Free Printable
Again, I’d love to hear what you put on your child’s chore chart! If you’d like to use this one, be sure to download and print for your preschool aged child!
And, remember, when you’re overwhelmed with your own chores, take a deep breath and remember to slow down and enjoy your little mess makers! Messes are very patient, they’ll be waiting for you when you’re done playing
(as I typed this, I had the most impatient of days!!! But I’m leaving these thoughts up here as a reminder for myself).
-Suzi