Chores
1. Age Appropriate Chore Lists 2. Chore Charts to Download & Print (below)
3. Chore Tips
1. Age Appropriate Chore Lists
Age 2 to 3
o Pick up toys
o Put clothes in hamper
o Dress themselves
Age 4, 5, 6
All Above, Plus
o Make bed (even if imperfectly)
o Use a dustbuster
o Sweep floors
o Clear the table
o Feed & Water Pets
Age 7, 8, 9
All Above, Plus
o Set the table
o Load the dishwasher
o Take out garbage
o Help put away laundry
o Help pack lunch & make dinner
o Clean bedroom
Age 10, 11, 12
All Above, Plus
o Unload dishwasher
o Fold laundry
o Clean bathroom
o Wash car
o Cook easy meals with supervision
o Clean kitchen counters
o Light yard work
Teenagers
All Above, Plus
o Clean bathroom
o Change sheets
o Wash dishes
o Do laundry
o Make dinner
o Mow lawn
o Rake leaves
o Shovel snow
2. Chore Charts- Three Sample Chore Charts, for younger to older children
- Customizable Chore Chart with Photos
- Click above to Download & Customize, or simply Print from below
3. Chore Tips- Have reasonable expectations. Choose only a few chores, not all, from above
- Start young. Make it fun for Preschoolers. Sing the 'Clean Up Song'
- Teach one chore at a time & monitor during first week
- Make visual “Chore Charts” and involve kids in design (see above)
- Set rewards and communicate your reward system. In addition to allowance, consider rewards that are quality time with you, e.g. family outings, bowling, swimming, kids get to pick their favorite restaurant. Others ideas include computer or video game time, special art projects. Note each child has a different “currency” and it changes over time
- Provide logical consequences for incomplete chores, and communicate them. Don't do the chore if your child forgets or refuses. Don't remind or nag. Discuss responsibility. If a child forgets or refuses to do a chore, say nothing and simply apply the consequences
- Homework comes first!
- Provide lots of praise!
