Tips on How to Add Chores to Your Child’s Routine

It could be very helpful to add chores to your child’s daily routine. The first step is to create a visual aid for their routine that they can follow at home. Many children with disabilities thrive with schedules—it helps them know what to expect. Creating a routine chart allows you to more easily build chores into your child’s daily activities.

It is helpful to give a chore that is related to something that interests your child. Some children like to spend time with you and could help with folding laundry. Other children may enjoy playing with water—they could help wash dishes. Every child has an interest in something that could be turned into a chore.

Be careful to not overwhelm your child with chores. It may take practice and time for them to master one chore. When teaching them, give clear instructions with simple steps. Show them how the work should be done. You may have to demonstrate and help many times before they’re able to complete the task on their own.

It is also helpful to create a chart that shows each step in the correct order. This will remind your child how to complete the chore. The chart can be placed on the wall or where the task is to be done.

Every child is unique and has strengths. Finding the right motivation will be key in making chores successful in your home. Some children are motivated by stickers. Others may require a different reward, such as spending more time doing their favorite activity. It is also important to recognize the effort they put into completing the chores.

Once the child has mastered the chore, you can add it to their daily routine chart and introduce a new task to work on.

Here are several articles that offer ideas about adding chores into your child’s routine.