I was working on making a chore chart this week for LM when I came across this one from ModEco Kids. Just download the pdf in Adobe (Preview for Mac doesn’t work as well) and fill in the blanks.
Since LM doesn’t read yet, I added the pictures. I just took photographs of the items, printed them out as a contact sheet, cut them out, and used double-sided tape to adhere them to the printout. I was pretty pleased with the results. I then put the whole thing in a plastic sleeve, so we can use a dry erase pen with it.
There are only three items on the list right now; there are a few other things like picking up toys and taking his plate to the sink that we expect him to do just as part of being part of the family.
For each “extra” task, he gets $0.25. I know there is a lot of discussion about whether to pay your kids or not, how much to pay them, when to pay them, etc. Some people don’t think you should pay children; some people think the payment should just be automatic and not tied to specific tasks.
Right now, we are going to try this approach and see how it goes. Immediately after completing the task, he colored in the circle and got a quarter. He put the quarter in a jar that he has in his room. The jar is for spending, and he has a piggy bank for saving. Eventually, I would like to add a third container for giving, but I just want to take one thing at a time with this.
Tonight was the first night we used the chart, and he was super excited to color in the circles next to the tasks. He was so disappointed that the silverware in the dishwasher was dirty, so it couldn’t be put away.
You wouldn’t think that a four-year-old could run a vacuum, but he wrestles that thing all around his room and actually does quite a good job. A reminder to me not to underestimate him!
Comments on: "Chore Chart for Preschooler" (2)
Thanks so much for sharing the chore chart on your blog. I’m delighted you found it helpful! I love how you added the photos. A couple of people wondered how to do this, so hopefully anyone who wants to do this also will see your post. Cute story about how excited your son is to color in the circles and about wrestling the vacuum! My son is also 4 years old and vacuuming is on his list too.
Hi there! I used this chore chart, too, but can’t find where I saved the .pdf file… Wah! And now, the ModEcoKids blog is GONE. Any chance you have this file and would be willing to email it to me? Please? Pretty please?
Also, I like your idea of adding the pictures – I think I’ll do that for my 2.5 year old. The 6 and 7 year old boys loved having these charts but I fell out of the habit (need my own, I guess, lol!)
Thanks so much!
Michelle