Revised Chore Charts

Buddy's chore chart is still working well for our household and even Sweetpea has noticed the chart on the refrigerator.  She has been begging for weeks to put smiley faces on Buddy's chart after helping me around the house.  After a few arguments between Buddy and Sweetpea, I decided to make Sweetpea her own chart and, in the process, reorganize Buddy's. 

This is Sweetpea's new chart.  It has a few less chores than Buddy's and includes a new spot for "Extra Help".  This is for when she helps unload the dishwasher, with the laundry, or with another task from Mommy or Daddy.  You'll notice that picking up toys has not been a popular chore.

This is Buddy's new chart.  I didn't like how in the last chart that Read the Bible was our last chore listed.  This time I moved it to the top and also included the "Extra Help" section for Buddy as well.  Again, Pick up Toys is not a popular category.  Buddy normally will clean up toys but he has to be reminded many times, which defeats the purpose of the chart.  We've started giving the nickels to him in a small jar as each task is completed and this has encouraged a better response.  Immediate reward works well for a preschooler.

All in all, I am very pleased with how these charts turned out.  If you are interested in a chore chart for your child, please email me at afaithfulmommy@hotmail.com with your child's name and any other relevant information. 

Colossians 3:23

Buddy learned Colossians 3:23 when we started his chore chart a few weeks ago.  This verse is at the top of his chore chart and we would recite it as he would begin his chores.  I did not plan any specific activities to go with this verse but he learned it rather quickly.

Any time that we would work around the house, Buddy and I would talk about how we should work enthusiastically and work to the best of our ability.  While he may not completely understand these concepts about working hard now, I hope that by learning Colossians 3:23 he will have a right attitude when he is older about work.

Chore Chart: Update

Buddy's Chore Chart has been working better than I expected.  The first week we implemented these expectations, he only missed two or three smiley faces.  The second week was a little more rough as he was sick a few days and started to say "no" to doing chores.  Here is a picture of his chart on Sunday.

The chart is working as a reminder for me to help Buddy have a devotional time.  This is his favorite "chore" to complete right now.  I am currently looking for a Bible that comes with a CD so that for devotion time, he can listen to the stories read to him.  If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them as there are so many choices out there.

Jon and I decided to give an allowance for chores completed and so Buddy earns a nickel for each task completed with a smiley face.  Here is a picture of the lay-out of nickels.  Buddy noticed this second week that there were more empty spots and really wanted to have those nickels too.

Not having those nickels became a lesson for him to complete his chores more often.  Also, Jon and I do not let Buddy add a smiley face to the chart if we have to keep asking him to complete a task.  The point of the chore chart isn't to add up smiley faces but to help Buddy learn to complete tasks around the house on his own.  All in all, this chart has worked well for us and will be something we'll continue to use with Buddy as he grows.

Chore Charts

I've been thinking for several weeks now of creating Buddy a chore chart.  He is three now and very capable of helping around the house.  I would love for Buddy to start having a sense of responsibility and the ability to keep up with his tasks.  While he has already been un-officially helping with different tasks, I want to have a daily system of expectations in place.  I think this idea of a chore chart stems from what I already have in place for myself.

Two years ago, I created my chore chart after realizing that my daily written checklist always repeated a lot of the same things.  I love having a visual reminder of what needs to be done each day and throughout the week.  It is also a good feeling to be able to check off things that I have completed.  I've covered my chart in contact paper so I can use a projector marker (leftover from my teaching days) that cleans off nicely using only water.  The verses from Proverbs are also great reminders to do my work on days that I do not necessarily feel like working.

I wanted to create a chart for Buddy that was similar to mine but realized that he can not read and I did not want to have to read it to him.  After looking at several ideas online, I created a combination of a list chore chart and a picture chore chart.  Colossians 3:23 is the verse above his chart and will be our memory verse this next week while implementing his chart.  When he completes each task, he can put a smiley face using Velcro in the correct box.  Jon and I are still talking about how much Buddy will earn for each smiley face at the end of the week.  We like the idea of an allowance of some type with the lessons of tithing, saving, and spending attached.  Here is a picture of Buddy's chore chart.  I still have to cover it in contact paper and attach the Velcro dots but you can get the idea.

For Sundays Buddy will be given a rest from his chores, just like God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2).  Jon and I try to observe a day of rest on Sundays as well so Buddy can join us.  Oh, and yes, our fish is named Frank.  It is Buddy's fish, so Buddy was able to name it.

If you are interested in creating a Chore Chart for your preschooler, here are a few links that I found helpful when creating Buddy's chart.  A few of the links can actually create a personalized chart for you. 
Christian Preschool Printables
Simple Mom - Chore Chart for Preschoolers

DLTK's - Chore Chart

My Blessed Home - Chore Charts for Preschoolers

Chores and Checklists - Picture Chore Chart

I also found a link for a chore system for older children and pre-teens if that is what you need.  I've saved this idea for when Buddy and Sweetpea are at that age.

My Blessed Home - Chore System