Children’s Chart Ideas for Routines & Responsibilities

Let’s say you have a plan for involving your family in your household routines & responsibilities.  You know what you want everyone to help with.  Now it’s time to take you out of the middle and let a handy-dandy chart or list act as the reminder instead of your nagging!

Sound good?

The internet is loaded with thousands of ideas, but we wanted to gather a few basic categories to help you plan out your charts or lists.

 Here are a few things to consider:

• Would it be helpful to have a list that can be “marked off” in some way, or do you just need a list of expectations?

• What type of a chart would your child use (considering age and personality)?

• Would it be best to break the different areas of expectations down into different charts…perhaps because of the location where they are needed (upstairs or downstairs) or the time of day the tasks are done (morning or after school)?

• Or is it more helpful to simplify and have one place where everything is summarized for each child on a page or chart?

• Do your children read?  Would it be more helpful or fun to add clip art or images of some sort?  (I once took pictures of my kids doing their chores and made little thumbnails—they loved it as preschoolers.  My pre-teen probably wouldn’t think that was so cool now).

• Remember: even the best chart in the world will typically reach a point that it is just ignored.  Most kids need variety.  Just like toy rotation worked when they were young, chart rotation (or re-creation) works wonders as they take on responsibilities.  It’s amazing how enthusiastic we can be about the exact same jobs when given a new chart or list to work on!

Types of Charts

• Magnetic boards: Work great for marking off things done.  They are also a great tool if your system involves changing who is doing which chores because you can just switch out the magnets.  Magnetic boards can be very simple and inexpensive but are also available to purchase custom made and gorgeous.

• Slider Charts: Another great way to allow kids to mark off the things they have done.  Simple to make at home.

 

• Flip board: A lot of these are geared towards younger kids.  They allow the child to open and close a flap as they check things off.

• Cross off & Wipe off: A list can be put in a glass frame or a laminated list can also be used (I find a magic eraser takes the marker off best).  We like to use this when our whole family is cleaning together so we can see what has been done and what we still need to do.  There are also many examples of beautiful frames with your personal lists that you mark off through the week or month.

 

• Sticker Charts: Most preschoolers love using stickers to mark off their accomplishments!

 

• Simple list: For repetitive routines that you expect your child to know, you may still choose to discreetly hang a list of reminders.  It’s a helpful refresher when things start to get forgotten.  “Check the list if you need to.”

 

• An electronic app:  Perhaps putting those electronic devices to work is the answer to motivate your crew.  myjobchart.com is very popular but there are many other options also.  Comment below if you have a recommendation of another app you love.

 

• Master chart: Sometimes it’s helpful to have a station where all expectations are summarized for each person.  These could be any type of chart listed above (magnetic, cross off, simple list, etc)

 

 

QUESTION: What are your favorite kinds of charts? What has worked well for your family?

CHALLENGE: If your charts could use a fresh look, or if you’re considering a new system, take some time this week to brainstorm ideas with your family!

 

For more in-depth information about creating family routines and responsibilities, access your exclusive M.O.M. Premium and Family Systems Premium video and audio downloads below. (Plus there’s a great PDF you can print to help you figure out exactly how to move forward!)

About JaNae Messick

Professional mother of 4 little ladies and lucky wife of a man that listens to me chatter, supports my dreams, and shares the ups and downs of life. I want to be an amazing mother that loves more and laughs lots but have found out that it's not all that easy! I'm passionate about organizing and think its fun to develop and perfect family systems and routines. I love sharing my journey with other moms stumbling through similar on-the-job training as we all figure out how to find joy in the sweet moments of mothering and become better wives, mothers and women!