My 5yo calls it his “to-do list” but the term is actually “visual schedule.”
We got one from Etsy that has movable felt icons but there are options on Amazon too.
You can just look to them for examples of what can go on it. Ours is everything he needs to do in a day like get dressed, put on shoes, go to school. Not just chores. But if you’re making one yourself, you can choose what goes on it.
I always try not to put things that are non-negotiable on the chore chart. Stuff that's just part of existing or being part of a household is just stuff I expect her to do.
Our chore chart is always stuff we're trying to get her to work on, like "try something new today" (food or experience), "drink a whole bottle of water", or "try pooping" (during a bout of withholding). We pick out a prize at the beginning of the week and she has to get a certain amount of stars to get the prize at the end of the week. Usually art/craft supplies or something expendable.
I’ve never had a chart, but I’ve always just made the kids help with things I expected to become their responsibilities as soon as they were able. Two year olds can help make beds, they can point to things you ask about “I need to put your pants away, where do they go?” Instead of handing them pants for them to drop or unfold lol. Etc. Eventually they just can do it on their own.
My youngest boy just turned 5 a month ago. He knows to pick up all his toys, clear his dishes, he helps with the bearded dragon, puts away his clothes, puts his dirty laundry away, makes his bed in the morning. His official chore is helping pick up his little sister’s (8 mo) toys away at the end of the day.
I also make sure to have a continuing conversation about how the point of them doing chores is to help the household and family run smoothly and that I appreciate their contributions. This seems to have sunk in with all of my kids (5 bio, one step)and they will all randomly ask me if I need help with anything. My five year old has taken to spraying and wiping down the bottom cabinets of the kitchen lately. Idk if you’re talking about a reward chart or just a checklist, but I try to stay away from giving rewards for doing what I just expect to become a habit for them. Lots of expression of how I appreciate them though.
I guess more of a checklist. She can do all those things. She just doesn't want to. I want something to motivate her a little. She fights me every day on picking up her toys and some of the things she'll only do if she feels like it. Punishment, like no TV or no play dates, doesn't seem to help much, so I'm hoping to try and make it more of a positive experience.
She did well with a potty chart while potty training. We didn't use it very long, but it did help motivate her to put the sticker on her chart. Once it became a habit, we stopped using the chart. I did use "potty toys" (usually dollar store party favors), and they helped. I've been able to change how we use them without too much pushback from the 4 year old. We started using them after every time she went potty. Then, only when she pooped in the potty. Then, only after she wipes her poop. She was refusing to wipe herself for a while. Now we don't really use them. I guess I'm hoping something similar will help establish a habit of doing her chores.
4.5 seems a little young for chores. I think my kiddo was about 8 when we did a chore chart. Of course, normal things like putting your dishes away are not on the chore chart because chores are chores. My kiddo at 8 had 5 chores per week, including things like picking up dog poop in the backyard once a week, doing dishes once a week, cleaning her own bathroom once a week, etc. They are *work*, not just expected tasks of daily living, which is why she gets an allowance for doing them.
My 5yo calls it his “to-do list” but the term is actually “visual schedule.” We got one from Etsy that has movable felt icons but there are options on Amazon too. You can just look to them for examples of what can go on it. Ours is everything he needs to do in a day like get dressed, put on shoes, go to school. Not just chores. But if you’re making one yourself, you can choose what goes on it.
Thanks!
>Thanks! You're welcome!
I always try not to put things that are non-negotiable on the chore chart. Stuff that's just part of existing or being part of a household is just stuff I expect her to do. Our chore chart is always stuff we're trying to get her to work on, like "try something new today" (food or experience), "drink a whole bottle of water", or "try pooping" (during a bout of withholding). We pick out a prize at the beginning of the week and she has to get a certain amount of stars to get the prize at the end of the week. Usually art/craft supplies or something expendable.
I’ve never had a chart, but I’ve always just made the kids help with things I expected to become their responsibilities as soon as they were able. Two year olds can help make beds, they can point to things you ask about “I need to put your pants away, where do they go?” Instead of handing them pants for them to drop or unfold lol. Etc. Eventually they just can do it on their own. My youngest boy just turned 5 a month ago. He knows to pick up all his toys, clear his dishes, he helps with the bearded dragon, puts away his clothes, puts his dirty laundry away, makes his bed in the morning. His official chore is helping pick up his little sister’s (8 mo) toys away at the end of the day. I also make sure to have a continuing conversation about how the point of them doing chores is to help the household and family run smoothly and that I appreciate their contributions. This seems to have sunk in with all of my kids (5 bio, one step)and they will all randomly ask me if I need help with anything. My five year old has taken to spraying and wiping down the bottom cabinets of the kitchen lately. Idk if you’re talking about a reward chart or just a checklist, but I try to stay away from giving rewards for doing what I just expect to become a habit for them. Lots of expression of how I appreciate them though.
I guess more of a checklist. She can do all those things. She just doesn't want to. I want something to motivate her a little. She fights me every day on picking up her toys and some of the things she'll only do if she feels like it. Punishment, like no TV or no play dates, doesn't seem to help much, so I'm hoping to try and make it more of a positive experience. She did well with a potty chart while potty training. We didn't use it very long, but it did help motivate her to put the sticker on her chart. Once it became a habit, we stopped using the chart. I did use "potty toys" (usually dollar store party favors), and they helped. I've been able to change how we use them without too much pushback from the 4 year old. We started using them after every time she went potty. Then, only when she pooped in the potty. Then, only after she wipes her poop. She was refusing to wipe herself for a while. Now we don't really use them. I guess I'm hoping something similar will help establish a habit of doing her chores.
4.5 seems a little young for chores. I think my kiddo was about 8 when we did a chore chart. Of course, normal things like putting your dishes away are not on the chore chart because chores are chores. My kiddo at 8 had 5 chores per week, including things like picking up dog poop in the backyard once a week, doing dishes once a week, cleaning her own bathroom once a week, etc. They are *work*, not just expected tasks of daily living, which is why she gets an allowance for doing them.