Behavior Charts: Kids Chores

Sooner or later, kids learn that doing chores is just part of being in the family. Things like taking the inside garbage to the outside trash bin, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, even washing the car can help kids appreciate that things like food, a home, electricity, heating and air conditioning and a ride to school are not just gifts sent down from heaven, but come from mom and dad working. In order to teach children to appreciate chores and the value of work many parents use a chore chart. Using this simple chart, a parent can list from one to 10 chores, assigned on a weekly basis, and provide points for their accomplishment. For example 5 points for taking the garbage out, 10 points for walking the dog and 20 points for mowing the lawn. The best way to make these charts valuable is to evaluate the both the effort of the job, how well it is done, and the amount of effort that parents need to do get their children to do the tasks. Don't give a child 20 points for walking the dog if they just go 100 feet and back and then plop down in front of the TV. And even if they do a great job, if you have to remind them to do it, they shouldn't receive so many points. Establish both short term and long term rewards such as a trip to an amusement park or their favorite movie, but always remind them that points and rewards come not only doing the job well, and not complaining or you needing to nag them about it. Work on the rewards together, and soon you will have an easier time of parenthood and your children will grow up more responsibly. Give Kids Pointz a try.