Assigning paid tasks is a great way to teach kids essential life skills, as well as enabling them to earn a little extra money. Keep reading as we explore the concept of an age-appropriate chore chart. We have a free printable chore chart for kids at the end – get the printer ready!
Related: Chores for kids
Why should I use a chore chart?
Helping kids develop good habits is the main purpose of assigning chores. The earlier you can encourage this mindset of order and conscientiousness (thinking before acting), the more likely it is to stick with them into adulthood.
Use your best judgement to figure out if your child wants to do chores, and start as early as you can. This can start small, perhaps putting away toys and games when asked. If they pay attention and are willing, great! If the child pushes back and does not like the idea, simplify. One small step forward is better than no progress at all. Don’t force it, be persistent, and slowly increase their responsibilities over time.
Related: How to teach responsibility to a child
According to the Youth Economy Report, some examples of chores that UK parents pay the most allowance for include £1.17 to tidy the bedroom, £1.23 to complete homework, and £1.23 to do the vacuuming.
How does a chore chart work?
A chore chart is basically a system to track the completion of chores by your children. One example is across a whole week, where if they complete all tasks, they get a reward.
Missing chores means smaller rewards. This is important, as using punishment does more harm than good. Instead, let them recognise that their actions led to the loss of the reward. You could give your kids pocket money for doing chores, or any other reward. If you opt for pocket money, it’s proven to be an invaluable source of financial education for younger children at a personal, business, and economic level.
Related: Should I give my kids pocket money for doing chores?
How to use chore charts effectively
To make an effective chore chart, leave nothing to the imagination. Clearly define the tasks that the child must complete to earn their reward. As hard as it may be, try not to back down if the child does not complete a task.
Here’s how to define goals you want to achieve:
Clean your room is vague.
Put dirty clothes in the hamper, clear away plates or cups, vacuum, and make the bed. This is more actionable, meaning the child can get straight to doing, rather than wondering what they should do to ‘clean their room’.
You may wonder how much you should pay your child for doing chores. That is ultimately up to you based on your budget.
Why should I use GoHenry for rewarding my kids for doing chores?
Some parents choose to give pocket money for doing chores. GoHenry makes rewarding their children easier and more interactive.
You can use our free chore chart template to allocate tasks to your kids, or simply create paid tasks in your GoHenry app. When your child completes their tasks and marks them complete, they will automatically receive payment straight into their GoHenry account.
Kids can then use their GoHenry debit card to spend their pocket money instore or online. Parents get a companion app that tracks purchases, and kids get access to in-app Money Missions – a series of bitesize games and quizzes which can help to inspire a lifetime of financial wellbeing for your child.
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