Chores List for Children

Providing a chores list on a chore chart for children starting at a young age can be very beneficial. You may list them or if you only have a younger child, you could use a simple picture or sticker chart.

Sample Chores List By Age

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Even a 2-year-old can have a chores list to help around the house. Although I don’t “assign” chores to my 3-year-old son, he started by helping me load silverware into the dishwasher and unload it into the drawer.

It is a great sorting and matching exercise for him, keeps him occupied so I can load/unload the rest of the dishwasher, and he enjoys being a part of what I am doing, which is a natural reinforcer for the behavior.

I also allow him to assist in laundry by having him stand on a stool and load the washer, dump in the soap, transfer the clothes to the dryer and push the start button. He loves doing it and when I ask if he wants to help he immediately says “Okay!” teaching him that helping is fun.

Sometimes when kids are eager to help at young ages, we end up telling them no and to leave the area. This can result in unintentionally punishing their willingness and desire to help, which later you will regret. If there is even a small task you assign when they are eager and willing, you will reap the benefits down the road.

2. Develop a daily chore routine.

Try to have the same assigned chores list that is completed every day, so that it becomes a routine that is done at the same time every day. When you are in the habit of doing something daily, you start doing the behavior without any thought, which will lead to fewer refusals.

Try to pick a time of day that you know is optimal for your child, you may want to have them do things right when getting up in the morning or right when coming home from school prior to any TV, video games or computer play. This will help motivate them to get things done in order to access these preferred activities.

3. Allow your child to choose chores.

Giving a list of chore choices whenever possible help to give children a feeling of control, which we all like to have. It also increases the chances of the chores being completed because they will likely be ones that your child doesn’t mind doing.

4. Post chore lists for each person in the house over 2 years old.

When a child sees everyone’s responsibilities in the house and how they are a part of that household as a team, it helps to eliminate the “Why do I have to do that?” response. Also, the adults of the house should have a longer list, putting into perspective how little your child is really responsible for doing, and hopefully helping them to appreciate how much you do for them. You can also use a chore chart for certain children and chore lists for adults.

Used in combination, the above techniques work well for gaining compliance. However, as with any plan to increase behavior it can take a week or longer to start seeing significant results.

Free Printable Charts

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