So often chore charts just create a list of things to do – so that when they are done they need to be inspected or approved by mom or dad. This inadvertently is a ‘set-up’ where the parent continues in the role of a task-master where she or he “inspects”, “takes away privileges”, has to continue to nag and remind the children to do each of their chores.

I get passionate about this subject – and the need for a different approach. Here is an example of some happy kids engaged in sharing their chores charts. I applaud the creativity that this family demonstrates, but I also have a caution about the approach that this mother uses in this video…

The actual functioning of what the mother has set up here would be a real challenge to continue to enforce. Also, she called the tasks “chores” which in and of itself tells the child that there is something that their mother is making them do. (whilst I do use the term ‘chores’ in this blog, I prefer to use the term ‘task’ with my family.) The only real motivational strategies that are set up for the children to actually DO their “chores” are:

1. That they will lose a privilege if they don’t do them (negative)
2. That the mother will probably need to nag if they don’t do them (negative)

So what is a positive alternative? I recommend all parents take on the role of TRAINER so that the children learn how to do the “chores” in such a way that they can be self-governed. This may be a little more work to begin with – but very soon the parents can get on with other more important aspects of their roles. Rewards charts are a whole different way to motivate kids. In the Children’s Miracle Music game children learn how to achieve goals – by earning points that are marked on the rewards chart. There is lot’s more to this – and I’ll be happy to share about that here soon.

The most effective way to get kids chores done is to set them to a specific sequence of timed music tracks. Music instantly motivates our bodies to be filled with the emotion that the music portrays. The music invokes an awareness of the passage of time without having to look at a clock. This is the basis of Children’s Miracle Music - setting perfectly timed music tracks to match the tasks that need to be done.

What is your approach to motivating kids to do their chores? Please leave a comment.

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