Chore & Reward Systems That Work
Chore & Reward Systems That Work
Chore and reward systems are one of the most important keys for
managing the busy household. A good system can inspire children
while teaching them responsibility and discipline -- not to
mention easing your own commitments.
The basics, a chore and reward system is a visual tool that lets
children perform household tasks in order to earn something they
would really like.
Make a list of what you need help with. If you had it your way,
what would you delegate around the house? Perhaps cooking or
cleaning up after dinner? Does laundry or dusting make you
cringe? What about taking out garbage or mowing the lawn? Write
down any responsibilities you'd like to delegate that are
age-appropriate for your children.
Next, ask your children to tell you something they would really,
really like. Find a picture of this item and place it on a piece
of construction paper. Using your list of tasks, create a "road"
that leads to the item. As they complete each task, initial it,
and once they work through the road they get their requested
item.
Chore and Reward Systems with Toddlers, chore and reward systems
can work with children as young as two! True they won't be very
efficient at vacuuming but there are ways they can help make the
days go smoother.
I used a system with my daughter that models the above. Using a
piece of construction paper I made twenty 1x1 inch squares. At
the bottom I made one large square and put a picture of an Elmo
helium balloon. Each time she cleaned up her toys, was a good
listener for the day, got dressed without a fight, went to sleep
without a fight or went to the bathroom "on the potty," I let
her choose a sticker to place on a square. (The stickers were
all her favorite characters and animals, dinosaurs, Barney,
butterflies, etc.)
When the sheet was full, we made a special adventure out of
purchasing her balloon. We went to the store and bought only the
balloon, taking great care to pick one out.