Summer Chore Challenge 2016

School doesn't officially end here for another couple weeks, but since we will be taking a few long trips this summer, we decided to start Summer Chore Challenge 2016 a little early. I spent the weekend making final adjustments on the lists for each kid, printing out the checklists, and creating this year's progress poster.  My kids are annoyed I'm making them wait until tomorrow (June 1) to begin. I think it's a good sign that the Challenge is a hit.

I've written about this challenge the previous two summers (2014 and 2015), but here's the idea in summary: 

The focus is on chore training. There are chores and tasks at which I want my kids to be competent, but it's way too easy to get busy with life and think, "I'll teach them later." Doing these chore challenges during the summer months makes "later" actually happen!  The bonus aspect is that, for the most part, the kids are the ones begging for the training  and practicing to occur.

For each kid, I make a list of about 15 age and kid specific tasks.  Some of the tasks are cleaning-related (wash dishes, empty garbage, clean toilets, etc.), some are academic (reading, writing, etc.), and some are life skills (learn to ride a bike, tie shoes, etc.).

Each task has delineated requirements that must be completed before the task can be marked off as "mastered." For example, here's a page from Aubree's checklist:

 

 The beginning levels of most of the chores simply require the kids to watch and learn from mom or dad.  They love that. "Mom," they'll call, "You need to wash the dishes so I can watch!"

Yes, that means that the load is heavier for the parents in the beginning, but it pays huge dividends in the end.  Plus, I'm not pregnant this summer, so life feels sooooo much easier!

The ultimate idea is that once a task is checked off as "mastered" the kid is completely competent at performing that chore independently.

Here's a page from Thane's checklist.  You'll notice that some tasks (like memorizing address and phone number) are a little more straight forward and can be checked off as soon as they are accomplished.

 

To get the kids on board with the idea of a summer of doing chores, I have built in rewards they can earn as they pass off tasks. I made a progress tracking chart (I used the kid pictures from last year, so I still need to get a picture of Graham).  As they pass off a task, they move towards the finish line.  After they've completed 3 tasks, they get to go out for a Dairy Queen ice-cream cone.  Once they've completed 6 tasks, they can choose a date with mom or dad or a small prize (in the vicinity of $7-$10).  After 10 completed tasks, they earn a Grand Prize.  Each kid gets to determine their own Grand Prize (around $30 value).  None of my kids have decided what they'd like to get yet (though I've heard a couple of them whispering about asking for cash!).

If EVERYONE reaches the 10-task finish line, the whole family gets a party.  This is designed to encourage them to encourage each other.  I want them to be excited when each of them makes progress.

Since each kid has 15 listed tasks, they have the possibility of going past the 10-task finish line.  At that point, they can earn a prize/treat for EVERY completed task.

The kids can work on chore challenge activities any time, as long as their regular daily chores are finished. If they choose not to work on their chore challenge activities, that is their choice as well.  Sometimes failure is a good learning experience as well - as we learned last summer (It's easy to type that, but trickier to believe when you're in the thick of it.  Trust me, I know!).

Our chore challenge ends on August 31, because school begins September 1.

Here are the lists for my kids this year:

Aubree (age 10):

1. Wash laundry
2. Wash dishes
3. Change diaper
4. Read scriptures
5. Complete a unit of Hoffman Piano Academy
6. Chop vegetables
7. Run 1+ mile (9 times)
8. Clean toilets
9. Sweep kitchen
10. Trim finger/toenails
11. Write 10 blog posts (not just pictures)
12. Disagree respectfully
13. Floss teeth
14. Take out food waste
15. Mop kitchen floor

Bryce (age 8):

1. Finish New Testament journal (I hope to write a blog post about this soon)
2. Self Control (20 days with no screaming)
3. Complete a unit of Hoffman Piano Academy
4. Peel vegetables
5. Load dishwasher
6. Run 1+ mile (9 times)
7. Sweep bathrooms
8. Sweep kitchen
9. Take out food waste
10. Parent choice reading (8 books)
11. Disagree appropriately
12. Floss teeth
13. Make own lunch/breakfast
14. Water backyard plants/lawn
15. Math practice/games

Thane (age 6):

1. Finish New Testament journal
2. Empty dishwasher
3. Jog with mom or dad 9 times
4. Vacuum downstairs
5. Parent choice reading (8 books)
6. Disagree appropriately
7. Floss teeth
8. Water planters
9. Tie shoes
10. Sweep porches
11. Math practice/games
12. Review spelling lists
13. Clear table
14. Memorize phone number/address
15. Tell time (analog)/learn coins

Graham (age 3):

1. Vacuum stairs
2. Sanitize door handles/lights
3. Make bed
4. Disagree appropriately
5. Obey right away
6. Jog with mom or dad 9 times
7. Memorize 4 articles of faith
8. Wipe own bum
9. Pee standing up (with no mess)
10. Learn 10 letters
11. Set the table
12. Put away silverware
13. No diaper at night
14. Help clean playroom
15. Identify numbers 1-10 

This is Graham's first year participating in the Chore Challenge, and I'm not sure who's more excited, Graham or his big brothers!  Nellie still has to wait a few years.  I hope she's not too disappointed.

 

Wish us luck!  I'll report back in September.
P.S. If anyone is interested, I'm happy to email our checklists.