Our 'Do…Done!' chart

May 15, 2006 in Parenting by Stacy | 8 comments

One of the tasks I set for myself on my 18 in 90 list was to make a chore chart for my two oldest children (4 and 2 years old).  This is what I came up with:



This new chore chart resides on the side of our fridge.  It was a simple project.  One day I walked around the house and took pictures of the chores (see Amy's brilliant idea).  Then I emailed the photos to my sweet friend who printed them out a bit smaller than wallets (thanks, Amy!)  I glued the photo on cardstock (pink for my daughter, blue for my son), wrote their names on the bottom, and laminated them with clear contact paper.  I bought some sticky-magnet tape to put on the back, and ta da… done! :)

 

Here's a closer picture:



We are loving this system.  I'm a very visual person and know that my daughter is, too, and my son, well- he's two, so I figure visual is good for him, too.  It is truly one of Ella's favorite parts of the day to check the chart, see what she has yet to do, run off and do it, and then come back and move the photo to the 'Done' column.  The first morning this was up she did all of her chores in the first hour (except for picking up the toys, since they hadn't played with any yet!)…and she was genuinely bummed to have to leave that one on the 'Do' side. 

 

This has been great, too- for her to assist me in helping her little brother do his chores.  It's really evident now as to what he's done or not done, so she's become his little encourager in this, too- “Do you wanna make your bed now?  Let's go make your bed!  Then you can move this picture of your bed over to the other side!  Let's go.  I'll help you!”  And off they go.

 

Prior to this I was using a chart I had made in Word that I was weekly having to print off of the computer, hang up, and they would each check off the boxes when done.  I usually had to help them find the proper box to check off- (“No, that's Tuesday.  It's Monday today.  The first box.  Right here.”)  I like our 'Do… Done!' chart better because it's more permanent in that it requires nothing else from me, really- except for an occasional glance to see what else remains to be done.

 

For those who are curious, their chores are as follows:

E: make bed, put dirty clothes in hamper, take silverware out of the dishwasher, clean up toys in living room, and clear off the table.

I: make bed, put dirty clothes in hamper, clean up toys in living room, clear off the table, and put the books back on the bookshelf.

 

I'd love to hear from others what chores you're having your preschoolers do!  I know we'll have to add to our own list at some point!

 

~Stacy

8 comments

  1. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Anonymous on February 17, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    i like to have my little guys fold the washclothes and i put little trash cans in all the room so they can easily empty them every day.

  2. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Anonymous on May 24, 2007 at 7:56 pm

    WOW! This is the greatest "chore chart" I've ever seen! What a great and easy idea for both mom and child. I love it!

  3. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Anonymous on May 19, 2006 at 2:41 pm

    That is such a great idea! I bet my active two-year-old boy would really love that, though it’d take a little while for him to figure it out. The first job I taught him was to take the paper labels off of empty cans destined for the recycling. He loves to have a big boy job!

  4. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Mary on May 18, 2006 at 9:21 am

    Thanks for the idea! I’ll give it a go with Levi. I am glad to hear it’s worked with ya’ll. I’ll keep you posted.

  5. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Panshrmu on May 18, 2006 at 4:39 am

    this may help my teen fosterkids too, so I don’t have to ask them HAVE YOU DONE YOUR WORK YET!!!!

  6. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Rebeca on May 16, 2006 at 10:56 am

    This is a great idea- Thanks for sharing it. I’ve been wondering how to get my boy to be a bit more independent, and this seems perfect. I’ve been having him do more “helper jobs” with me and I’m amazed at how much he can do when I take the time to teach him how- loads and unloads washer and dryer, helps load and unload dishwasher, table setting, folding washcloths and matching socks, cleaning up his things, helping me cook, etc.

    Bless you today!

    Rebeca

  7. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Stacy on May 15, 2006 at 9:33 pm

    I missed you!

    And of COURSE you may post this… I’m delighted you would even want to! :)

    I really am happy you’re back… how was your trip?

    ~Stacy

  8. Avatar of Blue Thistle - Hallie

    Preschoolers and Peace on May 15, 2006 at 7:00 pm

    Dontcha know I just LOVE this! May I post it on P and P?

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