It is no secret that assigning chores to children can be challenging for many parents. Children can often have trouble following through on an assignment, and many times are not very motivated when it comes to doing things they do not enjoy.
Pushing kids into completing chores will only make them resent the job more, and cause them to seek out other ways to get out of work.
In order for a child to complete chores successfully, the job needs to be broken down into manageable chunks that are not too overwhelming. A combination of positive motivation and negative consequences will help children focus on completing their chores successfully. Here are some suggestions:
Break Down Chores Into Manageable Tasks
Assigning a large, monolithic task to children, such as “clean your room” can cause the job to seem impossible. Instead of thinking about the end result and getting overwhelmed by that goal, focus on one small step at a time.
Each child needs different delegation methods in order for it to be effective. Some need encouragement through positive reinforcement, while others need the threat of negative consequences in order to get motivated. If one method is not working, try a different approach until your child begins to be successful with their chores.
Create a Reward System
A reward system can work well for some children who require positive reinforcement in order to do their chores successfully. Often there are chores that a child does not particularly enjoy doing, but will continue to do them simply because they are supposed to. One of the best ways to motivate children is by rewarding them for completing their chores successfully.
Reward systems should be designed based on your child’s personality and what motivates him or her the most. In order for it to work well, the child should be involved in the process of creating their incentive.
Think of ideas that will work for your children, such as a family trip or a special afternoon activity. Children have different interests and varying levels of maturity, so keep this in mind when planning rewards. The reward should reflect the specific chore being performed, not necessarily be an integral part of the chore.
Reward systems should have a time limit associated with them, so the child knows when he or she will be receiving the reward. This can help motivate children to complete certain tasks before others because they do not want to wait to receive their incentive.
Help Them Figure Out a Plan
Many children do not take the time to lay out a plan for how they are going to complete their chores. In order for them to get started, show them how to create an effective schedule and map it out on paper. Using a weekly planner or other type of calendar can help them be better organized with their tasks and cut down on procrastination.
Offer Suggestions
Children often need help coming up with ideas for what their chores will be. From time to time, you may find that your children struggle to come up with things they can do around the house that are productive and helpful. If this occurs, offer some suggestions such as doing laundry or cleaning the bathroom.
Once the task is delegated, let your child know that you are available to help them with any problems they encounter along the way. You can remind him or her about things like how they need to scrub the bathtub instead of just wiping it down with a towel.
Hopefully, this article has helped you to understand how to delegate chores for kids more effectively. We hope that these tips will prove useful for both parents and children, as they can make managing chores a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved.