Chore charts for kids, do they really work?
“It’s your turn, Dichie!”, I hear my youngest call his sister, Abby to set the table. Abby immediately makes her way to the kitchen to do her tasks.
“It’s your turn to wash the dishes, Warren!”, my two girls tell their brother after lunch. He is not happy about the chore yet he does it anyway.
“Achie! The chore chart says it is your turn to clean the table.” My eldest, Kristen, has other things to do for the day yet proceeds to clean the table.
Nowadays, humanity is technology-dependent with the younger generations more affected. The abyss of virtual reality is swallowing us and making us lose track of time. Days could go by in just a snap. Even I am guilty of that habit.
As parents, we want to secure the best future for our children. How can we be sure that our kids will be ready for life? A technique I would like to recommend is that we should give them chores.
Ew! Chores!
… is probably what you get from kids. Believe me, I know. You may think that chores are a waste of time and that homework is more worthwhile for your children to do. It may seem like a punishment. It may seem like a parent’s job to manage the house and the people in it. Have you ever thought of it to be a way for us to teach them the realities and hardships of life?
Chores give children “easy wins” and parents more help, no matter how little the help may be. It gives the young ones a sense of accomplishment and shows them that they can be capable of tasks as simple as household chores.
How did I start my kids on chores?
A number of parents are probably struggling to convince kids to do chores and help out around the house. I went through that problem as well. In almost every household in the Philippines, it is normal to have extra pairs of hands or paid helpers to do chores. If I remember correctly, the helpers in my house had to leave for a few weeks. I thought that it is time for my children to start doing their own chores. I told them that I need some help at home.
First, they were excited and reminded each other about their roles. One day, my two girls had the idea to create a visual aid. A printed chore chart for kids that they decorated on Canva. This helps the three of them know and see their chore assignments for each day. That simple piece of paper made a huge difference. We have a more organized system and no one can get out of their tasks. They made the chore chart for kids fair, accessible, and easy to read.
What can YOU do?
All families are different. Studies show that something new like chores can be beneficial. If you want to start your children on chores, here is an acronym I like to keep in mind, C.R.E.A.T.E. which means:
- Clarity. It is important to keep the chore charts for kids somewhere visible and accessible. Doing this will let everyone will know their roles for the day. You need to be clear on what you want them to do and the times you want them to perform the assigned tasks.
- Rewards and consequences. In movies, parents often reward their children with money. Giving it more thought, there are other options for incentives. By determining rewards and consequences, they will be more motivated to move and do what they need to.
- Energize. Do not forget to have fun! Chores teach children basic life skills and that does not mean that they should be bored. They should not see chores as something dreadful. Chores should be something to look forward to!
- Appropriateness. Brain development takes place in all human beings. A 3-year-old cannot do the same chores as a 10-year-old. It is important to keep in mind the appropriateness of a task depending on your child’s readiness and capabilities.
- Train. Just like at a workplace, kids will not automatically know how to do things correctly. As a parent, it is our job to make sure they understand what to do. Help them get the hang of the chore by demonstrating it to them.
- Encourage. It is very important to never stop believing in your children. Simple comments of pride and gratitude would help your child feel appreciated and satisfied with their job.
To summarize…
Chores play a big role in each family. They strengthen children of the present to be good contributors to society and to themselves in the future. Remember, your kids have the power to do their part…it’s your turn to show them how!
Start using them now. You can check out our printable and editable chore charts for kids on Etsy. They are designed by my team, Mommy and Kids for you and your kids!