A chore chart template is a list of household tasks that are required to be tracked and organized. There are several types of chore charts used for different purposes. However, the chore charts are also referred to as reward charts, chore calendars, chore checklist, behavior charts, and chore lists.
The chore charts can be physical or virtual. Moreover, the chore chart is mostly used by the parents to track and organize the chore of their kids.
However, people use different methods to organize and implement a chore system. The chore chart tacked on the refrigerator is the common way of using the chore chart.
The categorized chore charts are also used by the parents. It includes the categories of chore related to kids and household work.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is meant by the chore chart?
- 2 Types of Chore Chart Template
- 3 Components of Chore Chart Template
- 4 What chores have to be done on a daily basis?
- 5 How to Make a Chore Chart Template?
- 6 How to make an effective chore chart for kids?
- 7 How to structure a chore chart?
- 8 How to create my own chore chart?
- 9 What chores should kids do?
- 10 Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is meant by the chore chart?
A chore chart is a checklist that utilizes to track and arrange homework. It includes multiple charts such as reward charts, behavior charts, chore calendars, or task lists. It can be either handwritten or typed on a computer spreadsheet. A Chore chart is mostly used by parents to make chores expecting of their kids.
Types of Chore Chart Template
There are several types of chore charts based on the category of work and frequency. Some chore charts are only concerned about household activities. Some focus on the cleaning activities while others enlist the chores for kids.
Similarly, chore charts are management on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. So, the common types of chore charts are:
- Kids Chore Chart
- Family Chore Chart
- Personal Chore Chart
- Room Chore Chart
- House Chore Chart
- Cleaning Chore Chart
These types of charts can be made on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis such as:
- Kids Weekly Chore Chart
- Kids Daily Chore Chart
- Kids Monthly Chore Chart
Components of Chore Chart Template
The chore chart template is a document preformatted on the pattern of the chore chart. Although the template isn’t the same for all types of chore charts. However, a generic chore chart template must include the following elements for its effectiveness.
- Categories of Tasks
- List of Tasks
- Concerned Person Name
- Calendar
- Date / Week
A family chore chart enlists the chores of all the family members individually. A sharp border can be made on the chore chart to reflect the boundary of individual tasks. The first column of such a chore chart is the name of the family member followed by the list of tasks and calendars.
Similarly, chore charts for general tasks related to the household can be categorized as the morning, afternoon, evening, night, and weekend tasks.
What chores have to be done on a daily basis?
With the completion of daily home chores, you can keep your home neat and prevent spending a lot of time and effort cleaning the whole house at one time. There are specific household chores that should be completed every day of a week. Here is the list of those chores;
- Making your bed
- Sweeping floors
- Washing dishes
- Watering the plants
- Cleaning the garden
- Drain the trash
- Dusting the furniture
- Mopping the bathroom, and whatever you thought have to have done on a daily basis.
How to Make a Chore Chart Template?
The creation of an effective chore chart is pretty simple. It can be created using an MS Excel tool that requires no professional skill of the tool. Moreover, it makes the customization and editing work comparatively easier for the newbies.
A most important aspect of the creation of a chore chart template is to define the approach for the collection of data. Therefore, several guidelines are provided by the professionals in this regard.
For the creation of a kid chore chart. It is advised to the parent to sit together and make a list of activities keeping in view the mental and physical health of their child.
However, the parents can seek the help of a consultant to make a list that positively contributes to the mental and physical growth of their child.
Moreover, the time and frequency of the tasks included in the kid chore chart must be defined after critical thinking as it’s equally important to ensure the effectiveness of the task.
How to make an effective chore chart for kids?
To make an effective chore chart for your kids firstly you have to make a list of chores that are according to their age and that they want to do. Take an initiative with two-three chores so that they don’t feel a burden.
Then make a chart with four columns that are described below;
- Enter the chores with certain instructions not just saying, ‘’wipe the room’’, this sentence is full of interruption. You have to provide complete instructions that what things are included in wiping the room such as put clothes in the cupboard, take the utensils into the kitchen, put the books in the bag, keep the toys in the toy box, etc. For small kids, adding pictures in the chores would be interesting and engaging.
- Tell your kids that they are responsible for finishing the chores.
- Make a deadline.
- When the chore is completed appreciate your kids by giving them small prizes such as stars, stickers, etc.
How to structure a chore chart?
Here are the steps to structure a chore chart;
Organize an appropriate schedule
It would be better to divide the chores into categories such as daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Here are some examples;
Daily chores
- Making the bed
- Washing the dishes
- Putting clothes and toys away
Weekly chores
- Vacuuming all the carpets
- Sweeping all the hard floors
- Dusting shelves and window sills
Monthly chores
- Cleaning windows or large appliances
- Decluttering
- Helping to wash the car
Make deadlines for all chores
Decide how long each chore should take after assigning who will complete which chore. When you set deadlines, it will inspire your kids to complete the task and it becomes more of a fun game for them.
Additionally, a great way to prepare children for later life is by using a specific time frame. It provides them with a sense of purpose while completing the chore.
According to rooms in the house, organize the chore chart
Organizing the chore chart as per the rooms in the house is an effective way to structure a chore chart. For instance, you can make a chore list in the following ways for each room;
Bedroom
- Make the bed
- Put clothes away
- Put toys away
Kitchen
- Take out the trash
- Wash the dishes
- Dry the dishes
Outside
- Walk the dog
- Wash the car
- Mow the lawn
How to create my own chore chart?
You can keep yourself organized when it comes to household tasks by downloading a chore chart template. After downloading the chore chart, consider the following steps;
Determine the chores you want to include in your chore chart
It is a fact that all households are different. Everyone prioritizes different household chores as they want. Depending on the age of the kids, they should complete age-appropriate chores like making their bed, folding the laundry, etc.
In your chore chart, include these columns
- Name or picture of the child
- The household chore they have to complete
- A deadline when the chore should be completed
- A completed column; you can simply tick this column when the chore is completed
Place the chore chart
You should place the chore chart in a place where everyone can see it regularly. It’s up to your whether you place it on the fridge or on a wall in the dining room. This makes sure that kids have seen the chart and they know what to expect from them.
What chores should kids do?
You will teach your children a lot about discipline and responsibility by assigning chores to them.
Chores that are appropriate for young children
It is essential to decide which chores are suitable for your family members while designing your chore chart. There are a variety of factors on which the appropriateness of chores for kids depends. The deciding characteristics while assigning chores are age and physical ability. You can consider the following suggestions to design your chore chart;
Toddlers (Ages 2-3, with the supervision of parents or guardians)
- Place the toys back
- Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
- Wipe up messes and spills
Preschool (Ages 4-5)
- Make their bed
- Water plants and flowers
- For the household pet, sort out food and water
- Assist to set the table
- Fold some laundry
Elementary school (Ages 6-9)
- Sweep the floor
- Clean their bedrooms
- Put away groceries
- Vacuum
- Help to prepare dinner
- Fold and put away laundry
- Mop the floor
Chores that are appropriate for older children
Children become more independent as they grow older as well as they become able to complete more difficult chores. At this stage of life, they have to be more involved in the daily functioning of the household. Here are some suggestions that you can consider while deciding on appropriate chores for older children;
Middle school (Ages 10-13):
- Prepare basic meals
- Take the trash out
- Without help from parents, wash dishes
- Load the washer and dryer
High school (Ages 14+):
- Mow the lawn
- Babysit younger siblings
- Walk pets
- Iron clothes
- Make meals when necessary
- Clean windows
- Assist with simple repairs in the house
Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A family chores system involves a family chore planner, a system to assign different tasks to each member of a family, and a system of oversight. In order to become a successful family, you have to divide up all your household chores and assuring each member takes responsibility for their personal ones.
There are several reasons why children do household chores;
1- Doing household chores teach your kids life skills because such skills are not taught by educational institutions. Laundry, cooking, and budgeting skills are much important that can be learning at home.
2- It can make your kids responsible and self-reliant.
3- While doing household chores your family members act as a team. Hence, it can develop strong teamwork skills that can be helpful in schools or in any workplace.
4- Household chores assist you to develop time management skills and also improve your planning skills.
5- It will create strong bonding between family members and also builds a strong work ethic.
6- Household chores build special moments between little ones and adults.
Grace Harry is an experienced freelance writer with an experience for 12+ years. She got her Master’s in Financial Management degree from the University of Dennison in 2007. She worked at California State Bank to help clients with their credit, investments, and bank accounts. She likes to assist people in reaching their financial goals when it comes to financial planning.