Make your own chore systemOverview of the processBasic supplies to use:-Large posterboard, any color -Several small envelopes -Markers -Stickers or artwork -Thumbtacks to hang on the wall, or -Magnets to hang it on the fridge. -300 or so Poker Chips, or Tickets, or Coupons of some kind to use as the rewards system -A jar or tupperware to be the "bank" and one to use for each child's "account" -Various pieces of copy paper and construction paper Basic Steps:The basic steps to make your own chore system are: 1) Create the list of chores: a) On a sheet of paper break up your day into manageable "chunks" of time. Usually 4 is adequate, plus one period for those chores that are not done everyday. b) Work through each time period for each child and write down the individual chores or tasks that he/she should be doing c) Think through each set of chores and ensure they are appropriate for the child and that the child is capable of accomplishing the chores d) Check to ensure you are not overloading any one time period 2) Create the list of Rewards and the Chore Cards a) Think through your rewards system and how to reward and motivate your child for different levels of acheivement. Only you know this for your child, but eventually you will find that the child can be involved in thinking up new rewards too. b) Create or choose your rewards tokens or coupons (you could use poker chips, or computer-printed coupons, or tickets, for example. c) Create the chore cards for each chore using smaller squares of posterboard and stickers, or draw your own pictures on them that reflect the chore. d) Personalize each child's chore board with pictures, stickers, their name and picture, etc. 3) Assemble the system a) Assemble the rewards board where the rewards will be displayed for motivation. Usually this is a simple poster with the names of the rewards alongside the token value you have set for each. b) Assemble the chore board where the chores will be managed. This can be a large poster with several envelopes glued to it. The envelopes are used to hold the chore cards for each time of day. Usually four or five time periods is sufficient. Any less and it's harder for the child to keep up, any more and its harder for the child to accomplish the chores within the right time period. Include one extra for periodic chores. 4) Get agreement and Implement! a) Walk through the system with other adults in the household and ensure buy-in to the system. It will fail if everyone is not on-board! b) Walk through the system with each child and teach them how to run the system c) Monitor and correct as you go forward! You will also want to adapt the chores and the rewards on a regular basis to ensure it continues to capture their attention and interest. What if I don't want to make my own chore system?You do not have to make your own chore system. You can of course buy a chore system that works for less than $20 plus tax.
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