Thanks for visiting Simple Mom. If you subscribe to the blog via RSS feed or via email, you'll get helpful tips and encouragement for simplifying life at home sent straight to you, for free!
We recently started a regular chore routine with our three-year-old. Thanks to your input, we came up with a reasonable list of things, and she’s slowly starting to accomplish them on her own.
Photo by Sabbah
I couldn’t find a chore chart I liked on the internet, so I created my own. It’s very simple, and the original idea came from a good friend of mine (hi, Ali!). Here’s a screenshot (click to enlarge):
The chores we’ve started with are:
- help make my bed
- empty silverware from the dishwasher
- take my dishes to the kitchen (after breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and
- pick up my toys (before her quiet time and before her bed time)
When she accomplishes a task, she gets a sticker in the alloted square for that day. At the end of the week, we count up her stickers. For every sticker, she gets a nickel (well, this country’s equivalent of a nickel).
She has three jars to put her money – one for giving, one for saving, and one for spending. 10 percent goes into each of the first two, and the remaining 80 percent goes into her spending jar. If she does every single chore for every single day (which she has yet to do), she’d earn $2.45 a week. That’s $127.45 for the year. 80 percent of that is $101.96. Not bad spending money for a three-year-old, I’d say. (More about the “why” behind our reward system tomorrow.)
So far, this system is working beautifully. She’s excited to do her chores because she likes getting to pick out which sticker she puts on her chart, and at the end of the week, we count out each nickel one by one. For the concrete, visual processors that preschoolers are, the pile of coins is thrilling.
I’ve made a generic Preschool Chore Chart for you to download for free. I tried to include as many typical chores a preschooler might have around the house, but if you don’t see ones you’d like, you can easily add your own. Download the Chore Chart here. And as always, I welcome any feedback!
What do your kids do around the house? Do you have a reward system?
125x125-30days.gif)
{ 14 trackbacks }
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this and have downloaded it! Thank you!
My almost 4 year old sweeps our deck, puts her dishes away, picks up toys and makes her bed. No reward system yet, but I think that’s coming soon – maybe around her 4th birthday.
I love your system! Thanks for sharing!
@Emily – Isn’t it a fun age when they think it’s fun to clean? I love it.
An interesting idea—you certainly haven’t lost any time instilling the principles of financial management! Question: Do you remind your child about each chore when it’s time to do them, or does she have to remember herself? I take it that the only consequence for not accomplishing a chore is forfeiting the right to a sticker and the corresponding nickel.
I look forward to reading about the reasons behind your reward system, as I have been thinking a little about intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation in the socialization of young school-age children. Motivation is a tricky thing—you’d like them to do something because they enjoy the thing itself (like you said to Emily, it’s great when they think cleaning is fun—I sure wish I still enjoyed cleaning), but at some point this isn’t enough and you have to provide a reward to encourage/teach good behavior/habits—then eventually they get hooked on rewards, and the extrinsic motivator has all but killed the intrinsic motivation. It’s a conundrum, I think.
I remember loving the chart when I was little. I wonder about the motivation factors too. When children are older (and not so fond of cleaning) will they pitch in whenever something is needed, or will they only do the things that have been assigned to them and come with payment? I do think a chart can be invaluable though since they can see it and do things without moms having to remind them.
SmallNotebooks last blog post..Before the Trip Checklist
@Michael, Rachel/Small Notebook – Motivation is a tricky one. I’m not too worried about my daughter right now because she was completely psyched about cleaning before we introduced the chore chart. She was constantly following me, wanting to help, asking for a cleaning rag or sponge. So I just went with it.
I definitely remind her, and I actually help her with them. After breakfast, I say in an excited voice, “Okay, it’s time to do your chores!” After I ask her to take her plate to the kitchen, we go to her room, “make” her bed (pull the covers up) together, and then go back to the kitchen where she unloads the silverware basket while I empty the rest of the dishwasher. So we really do everything together.
I don’t think this is killing any intrinsic motivation yet – we’ll cross that bridge when she’s a bit older. Oh, I also ask her to do other stuff throughout the day – get me a diaper when I’m changing her brother, put the napkins on the table for a meal, bring me things here and there – and she doesn’t get a sticker for those. It’s just part of being in this home, this family.
Right now, I just want to take advantage of the opportunity to teach basic money skills.
I tried something like this with my older son. But, being the “over the top” kind of person that I am I took it too far, made it too complicated, and it, naturally failed. Maybe I can try again with a simpler approach.
@Daisy – You can probably guess I’m a fan of simple.
Yes, these are the days when my kids *like* to clean and clamor the for the dust rag and ask to wash the windows and sweep the deck
I’ll ride it out as long as they’ll let me.
Emilys last blog post..A Kitchen Full of Window Mistreatments
Oh, pick me, pick me! My single-digit son has been “forgetting” to bring in his homework, so yesterday I banned him from his computer until he came up with a solution. ‘course, I then sat with him and walked him thru how making a list is a great help!
Result? “Mom, that takes too much time.” So instead of forcing the issue, I figure I’ll wait for him to ask for the computer again and ask to see his work solution. Eventually, I’m sure, it will get thru his little tiny biggle brain, say, before he’s high school valedictorian.
Barbara
Barbara Lings last blog post..Today’s Words of Wisdom – 4 Simple Steps Anyone Can Do For Mega Publicity
My son isn’t much of a kitchen and indoor chores kinda kid, but he does have pet duty, and he helps wash the car (although that’s more of a treat for him than a chore!) and some small errands around the house.
PreSchool Mamas last blog post..PreSchool Spring Activity: Make Your Own Sundial
We’ve had chore charts since my oldest was 2 years old. Now 6 and 4, the girls definitely know that it takes all of us working together to get things done. In addition to awarding stars after each chore and exchanging stars for money at the end of each week, we set a longer term goal with a reward for the whole family to enjoy together. For example after earning 150 stars, we take a trip to Chuck E Cheese usually bringing a cousin or a friend (this is the only time we go visit Chuck E). While they like earning their money, their favorite part is earning stars for our trip.
Most days they don’t have to be reminded to make their bed, help clear the table or get the mail, but they do have to remind me to give them their star.
Emilys last blog post..Now Reading: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
My kids still think it is fun to clean too. I hope they hold on to that. My son is really good at taking out the room garbages. They are already in plastic bags, so he just has to pull them out and bring them to the kitchen. He also gets to hang his own clothes on hangers and fold his socks together. I think chores are great for kids, helping them learn new skills and responsibility. Great post.
Maries last blog post..Live Caterpillars are Here
Our almost four year old son used to enjoy helping to rinse the dishes off before putting them into the dishwasher, but he has already lost interest in that activity. Now he randomly will help with cleaning, putting the utensils back in the drawer or putting his laundry away. He still likes to help sweep, but mostly likes doing stuff outside with his dad, like washing the car or making mud pies.
I have a star chart for him to earn stars for a movie or some other treat, sometimes it works with him and others it doesn’t. He seems to be pretty set in doing what he feels like doing. I suppose I should eventually make them chores that he is expected to do and offer spare change as an incentive as he gets older
Patty, mamastimeout.com hosts last blog post..Win up to $100 this week only!
we really struggled with the allowance vs. payment for chores debate. in the end, we ended up just giving a certain amount every week, totally separate from any work done. I really like one readers comment about the star chart for chores, and then doing something fun as a family once 150 are collected- seems to create a teamwork/encouraging one another attitude. we did a star chart for a while (until it wasn’t needed as much, although we might think about going back) at bedtime, giving stars to each child if they didn’t get up or call out once they were tucked in for the night. at the end of the week (saturday night), if they had 6 stars, they could stay up 30 minutes late:) worked pretty well.
kerins last blog post..travel antics
I love this idea. I have a four year old and she loves to help around the house so I haven’t really had to motivate her but I like the idea of the chart for some additional tasks that she does struggle with (like cleaning in her room).
So far her daily tasks are taking her dishes to the kitchen, taking her dirty clothes/pjs to the laundry basket, feeding her fish (she also helps with the other pets but not exclusively), picking up toys. She loves to help with the silverware and washing some dishes, folding washrags and other cleaning stuff so that is nice.
I also like some of the other ideas that commenters posted such as a big “treat” after so many stickers that the whole family can participate in. Very positive reinforcement.
Darcys last blog post..The First Cut is the Deepest
I like the idea of doing something as a family as well! Good plan.
Great chart! I’ve downloaded – I’ll link back to you.
De’Etta @ Choosing Joys last blog post..
Neat chart! We’ve made similar ones for other things (ie. staying in bed all night) for our toddler. Maybe we’re ready to graduate to chores! Thank you for the download!
Colleens last blog post..Works for Me Wednesday
Thanks for the idea. I have an almost three year old and I’m going to implement your chore chart and ways of dividing the money – how great to be also teaching about giving and saving.
Sarah Maes last blog post..So Funny!
Love your chore chart! I have 6 children; but only 3 still at home (ages 6, 7 & 9) and they make their own beds, clean their bedrooms, and can dust, vacuum, sweep, mop, take out trash, clean the litterbox, feed the cats and dogs, set the table, empty the dishwasher, microwave simple foods, make their own sandwiches, etc.. and I just began their laundry training in earnest – they are learning to sort, load and start the washer/dryer, fold and then put it all away. We need to delve more into actual cooking – and we intend to work on that more this summer and to teach them about meal planning, grocery shopping and letting them start to plan and prepare meals for our family.
I just got around to blogging about our system, even though we’ve been using it for a few months now.
Tracis last blog post..Chore Chart system
I just came across your blog and am so excited to give this a try. I’ve been trying to think of a way to encourage the save/share/spend idea instead of just giving change to be put into the piggy bank. Great idea.
mollys last blog post..Bumbleberry Pie
I just came across your blog and love some of your ideas, our 3 yr olds main chore is folding washclothes and dish towels, this is strictly her job and she does it. Sometimes the washcloths are folded in the shapes of boats and sometimes they are triangles. I just let her use her imagination as long as she does her job!! Does it really matter how they are folded as long as they are done??? We have different charts for different things. We have a star chart for cooperation on school mornings for special treats. Charts work well for us!!
Thanks
Cindy’s last blog post…Allie making cookies!!!
I love this idea. We include chores such as putting your dirty dish in the sink after each meal and picking up the bedroom (which is the playroom) before dinner is served. I am not paying her to hold her own. I tell her that these are her jobs (and a age 4 she is thrilled). I said these are things that she needs to do just because. I do not want her to think that I will ever pay her. I will buy her what she needs/wants (to an extent) and she can earn more at a later time by doing above and beyond. I never want her to tell me she will not do it. If I have always paid her then I have no leverage. No chores, no pay, who cares. No way, not in my home … you just do it!
Ah! The wonders of the internet! I have been wondering about reasonable chores and thought of blogging about it. But why, when you have already done the work! Thanks for the chore chart. We need something more concrete than spoken expectations around here (and I need some gentle reminding of what I expect them to do)
Renata´s last blog post…Making peace with motherhood
Am I understanding correctly that one of these need to be printed and prepared weekly? I think a monthly chart would be more time efficient, but I still like the idea of tallying and paying weekly. We will do our payout on Saturdays so our daughter (3) can set aside for giving on Sunday.
Very cute idea/concept! My oldest is 3 and we do chores, but I’m not as rigid with doing them everyday. But I do set my foot down to have her help with picking up toys. Other than that.. I encourage all the time. Typically she wants to mirror mommie
Just discovered your blog (via Ali E), and love your chart—if only I had a few years back. My oldest (now 7) really need the visual reminders, especially for morning routine before school. I didn’t like any of the charts I saw, so we made one —taking photos of him doing each chore. He liked that part, and was into the sticker rewards. He had to have so many stickers in order to pick a movie on Friday nights. We haven’t tied allowance to chores.
My soon-to-be 4 yr old hasn’t used a chart yet—he loves cleaning and because of his big brother’s example, rarely needs reminders to make his bed, etc. At least it all gets easier!
But I’m still downloading your chart in case he needs when he starts school! Thanks.
Deirdre´s last blog post…Karen, Shriners, and a request
I’ve found that the virtual chore chart works for me. I use a site called Handipoints chore charts to make printables and it’s really been fun so far!
Gret great tool! I will use this for my daughter!
thanks so much for sharing!
ED Blogger´s last blog post…Children’s Day in China today
Link to chore chart not working.
RookieMom Heather´s last blog post…Activity #54: Take 1-2-3 pictures
*sniff* I get a 404 when trying to look at the screen shot link!!
Hi,
What a great idea and download – I’ve printed it off and will get to using it later today. Currently my 8 year old feeds the dogs and that’s about it. My fault I know. We did invent a similar chart a year or so ago when we were having trouble with him at school but now he’s so good I let him off doing most things. I think he would like some pocket money though so this will be a good way to teach him some value to working.
Cheers, Chloe
Chloe Alice Wilson´s last blog post…Why Eating Bogeys Is Good For You
i get a 404 error when trying to download the chore chart…=(
Please help!
I’m searching for a job chart and got the 404 error as well
The download should be working now!
Thank you so much! I think I found what I’m looking for !
I really love this sistem it’s helping me a lot!!!
I loe simple mom, I wish I would know about it when I had my first baby 5 years ago….
Wouldn’t be nice if you will translated it into spanish???
I have finally decided it is time to look into “chores” for my ‘just turned’ 4 yr old and this is the first thing I came across and I have downloaded it and am very excited to get started tonight-Thank you for making it available and easily accessible for a mom who really needed some guidance in starting this journey
I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
Please help. I have tried to download the chore chart several times using Google Chrome, Firefox, and IE8…Nothing seems to work. The page just reloads itself. I even tried after you said the link should be fixed. I have tried saving to desktop as well…nothing! Can you please email the file??? Thank you so much!
David
We recently implemented a chore chart as well. Wish I’d seen this one before I did mine. I made mine as well ~ but instead of stars she gets to move the chore picture from needs done to the done column. I used this to help her get herself ready in the morning ~ clothes on and dirty clothes in the hamper as well as remembering to brush her teeth etc. We had some killer power struggles in the morning, and this seems to have taken me out of the equation and our mornings go much better. We set ours up in three different “time frames” before school, after school, and after dinner. Getting toys picked up before dinner was also a problem, but is going quite well now that it’s on the chart. She also sets the table and takes her dishes to the kitchen after she eats.
We have extra fun time as a reward for getting chores done, not sure how she would respond to money ~ but I love the idea of the separate jars, so maybe we’ll figure out some way to add that in too.
Thanks for more great ideas as always!
Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Vegetable Garden Planning
I’m looking for a good chart for allowance/chores and for some privileges like computer use for my 4 year old. I like the concept here but I can’t figure out exactly how to use it right?? Where do you put the stickers, so that one day might have 5 or so sttickers?