to do chart

I have been a parent for over 17 years, and before that I was a second grade teacher, so I feel like I know a thing or two about charts…chore charts, reward charts for potty training, sticker charts for positive behavior, summer reading incentive charts, and the list goes on. One thing I have learned about A LOT of these charts is that it can be more work for the parent than the child!  For years, I felt like I was the one filling them in, checking them off, and calculating the allowance earned.  Just one more item on MY to-do list (which for a mom of three is already extensive). My older girls don’t really need a chart to motivate them anymore, but my youngest can use a little extra incentive at times…especially the mornings.  I came up with this chart idea just as school was starting last fall.  So far it has worked well for us.  It requires minimal work for me, and my daughter assumes the responsibility of her tasks.

I created the chart on a small chalkboard.  I divided it into two sides…TO DO and DONE.  On each side, I secured a piece of adhesive velcro.

Then I made basic to do task cards…brush your teeth, get dressed, put your clothes down the laundry chute, etc.  I color coded them according to three times of the day…morning (blue), after school (yellow), and evening (pink).  I laminated these cards so they are durable.  Then I attached a small piece of velcro to the back of each card.  The cards are kept in plastic bags attached to the back of the board.

Each morning the task cards are placed on the TO DO side.  As she completes each task, my daughter moves them to the DONE side of the chart.

         

After the morning routine, the cards are put away.  The “after school” cards are put on the board for the afternoon, and finally the evening cards are moved to the DONE side of the chart.

        

It took about an hour to create the chart, but my time involvement since then has been minimal.  She can see her progress as she moves the cards to the DONE side of the chart, and this is very motivating (along with the promise of being able to watch TV on the way to school if she is in the car by a certain time each morning!).

An easy way to keep her focused and motivated throughout the day!