It’s no surprise that young children operate better on a schedule. Their lives go more smoothly when there’s a routine, when they know what to expect.
As they get older, there’s also an advantage in having them take on more responsibilities — chores for them to complete as they learn to become more independent. We’ve created a few charts for our 3 1/2 year old twin daughters that help them establish a routine while encouraging them to do more for themselves.
As of now, there are no rewards or punishments connected with completion (or lack of completion) of the these tasks. These are simply things that are expected of them and the charts serve as guides for what comes next. It took a bit of time to put these charts together and it occurred to me that others may be interested in them as well.
I’m including links to the charts [PDF] below. Feel free to use them and adapt them however you wish. If you decide to forward them along to others, which I encourage, all I ask is that you please provide a link to this site.
Preschoolers’ Before School Chart
Preschoolers’ After School Chart
How do you handle chores and activities with kids this age? I’d love to hear some feedback on what other parents are doing.
If you’d like more help with creating routines and raising happy, well-adjusted children, below are some resources you may be interested in:
Happy Child Guide – How To Get Any Child to Listen and Be Respectful
Better Behavior Wheel Parenting Tool
Go For Your Goals! Goal Setting for Kids
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a three-year-old and a five-year-old that have similar morning and nighttime responsibilities to your girls. We’ve also assigned each of them a daily chore – one straightens the livingroom and the other straightens the playroom. We do provide them with a reward, though. If they do their “jobs” without me nagging them, they get a dime for each job they do. Also, throughout the day if I have to put them in time out, they lose a dime. (This is good incentive to remind them to be nice to each other – I can give them a warning, “You’re going to lose a dime,” and they shape right up.) At the end of the month, they get to count their dimes and spend it on a treat.
Thanks for sharing, Erin. It sounds like the dime reward system is also a great way to start teaching them money concepts as well.
It’s been a little while since I had a preschooler. It’s good to get them helping. They like doing it when they’re little. I’m stopping by from the UBP.
Yes, I’ve heard that kids are less interested in helping as they get older.
Hi! Party hopping and participating too so stop in for a visit. You have great information here!
Hello. I have a six year old daughter and to be completely honest I don’t remember what I had her do for chores when she was 3 and 4. She has chores now…. I’m always having her clean stuff with cleaning wipes, she likes to swiffer sweep the floor, she helps with the trash and recycling, unloading the dishwasher and starting it, lots of little stuff. I’m pregnant and due in Aug. so she will become mommy’s little helper with the baby too.
@ Baba — Thanks for stopping by!
@ Stephanie O — I think the most important thing is that kids learn to help a bit. It teaches them responsibility and that things run most smoothly when everyone works together. It sounds like your daughter is a great helper. Congratulations on the new baby.
Stopping by from UBP. It is very nice to meet you and your blog. I myself have a toddler learning/activity blog at http://www.superfunmama.blogspot.com. I would love for you to stop by sometime. I’m having fun visiting all the blogs. Have a magical day!
I’m a subscriber now. I love these downloads! Great blog.
Thanks so much! The UBP has been a lot of fun.
I like the chart idea. My daughter is only 15 months and routine is a necessity! She loves shoving clothes in the dryer.
Hello,
Greetings from UBP ’09! Love your site, I’ve got lots of great ideas and I’ve bookmarked it for future use.
~ Ashley
Biblical Baby Name Meanings
Hindu Baby Name Meanings
Hey Beth-
We just started our kids on chores the past few months. Long overdue.
I am just stopping in from The Ultimate Blog Party to say hello. Come by my place to enter to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System and some books by pledging to read to your child everyday. You can also enter to win a pair of Girl’s Crocs – Size 8/9.
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
@ Tonyia – Putting clothes in the dryer has been popular at our house, too. Now they like folding small towels, at least for a little while and then they’re ready to move on to something else. . .
@Ashley – Glad to see another visitor from the UBP. Thanks for bookmarking the site.
I am def. comin’ back to your blog. I love it. Also, my blog is http://www.joyfulmommy.blogspot.com
for some reason, it links to the wrong blog.
@ Sarah — Thanks so much for coming by. Thanks for the link to your blog as well.
I’ve found that the virtual version works for me. I use a site called Handipoints to do chore charts and it’s really been fun so far!
Handipoints chore charts
@ Sherry – Thanks for the link to Handipoints. It looks like a really great site.
You’re welcome! Check it out!
When my daughter was not yet reading, I made her morning/chore/bedtime charts by taking digital photos of her doing those tasks. I created a mini-poster for both morning and bedtime using presentation software and those pictures. She loved it and referenced it long after she had memorized the tasks.