Assign Age-Appropriate Jobs

• For each child, make a list of chores that are reasonable for their age. Include even very young children who can work with the family to create a safe and healthy home environment. Toddlers and preschoolers can learn to make their bed, put toys into bins, put laundry in drawers and help with simple dinner preparations. More difficult jobs, such as folding laundry, scrubbing floors, washing windows, baking cookies and caring for younger siblings should be added for older children.
  
  

Define Your Expectations

• Your child must understand not only what chores they are expected to complete, but how and when they should be done. Include a description of the job when assigning tasks. A child's idea of "clean the bathroom," may not be what you expect them to do. Show the child how to clean the bathroom -- empty the trash, wipe down the sink and mirrors, scrub the toilet and wash the floor. List how often chores should be done and include a space to check off when they are completed.
  
  

Keep the List Visable

• Post the chore list where your child will see it every day. Bedroom closet doors or a bulletin board in your child's room are highly visible spots. Place lists at eye-level, especially for little ones. Hang copies where you will see them too, so you can keep kids on task each day. Encourage your child to check the list every morning and incorporate the chores into his daily routine.
  
  

List Formats

• Options for designing your lists are plentiful. List only a few simple chores for young children and include photographs or pictures cut from magazines to illustrate the jobs. Leave a space for adding reward stickers when jobs are completed. More detailed lists can be hand-drawn or filled in from blank templates that are available online. Reduce your photocopying expense by laminating the lists and using dry-erase markers to check off completed tasks. Another option is to place index cards in a "To Do" envelope and let children move them to a "Finished" envelope when the chore is completed. This method allows you to shift chores around from child to child or for kids to chose their own tasks.