Posted as promised!
Here is what you need to make your child a chore chart or responsibility board:
1 ugly peg rack
1 piece of scrapbook paper
1 can of glossy spray paint
1 bottle of modge podge or clear gel medium
1 paintbrush
scrap paper
pencil
hole punch
ribbon
Chore Board
Step 1: Say good bye to ugly peg rack (sorry bunnies & bears from the 80's just don't stand a chance in our home decor!) and unscrew pegs and set them aside.
Step 2: Spray paint peg rack. Use long, slow, even sprays to cover the rack. I used 3 coats of red spray paint to make sure the background was completely gone. I waited maybe 20 in between each layer to be sure the paint wasn't tacky to the touch.
Step 3: Measure & cut scrapbook paper. I layed the board on top of my scrapbook paper, centered and traced the shape. Then cut out carefully!
Step 4: Apply a layer of modge podge or any clear gel medium to the top of peg board with a paintbrush. Carefully line up your scrapbook paper and press out any air bubbles (use a thick scrap piece of cardboard to get out bubbles). Add another layer of gel medium ontop of scrapbook paper to secure it down. Let dry.
Step 5: Screw pegs back onto board.
Chore Tags--decide what are the most important chores for your child. For us, it wasn't so much the "chores" but instead setting up 3 simple personal tasks for Ruby to get her to cooperate in the morning and evening. We wanted her to start to understand that we have daily chores and it can be fun doing them! What's great about this chore board is that you can easily change the chores to align with what they can actually do. Plus you can make the chore cards double sided to get 6 tasks to complete each morning and night. So in a few weeks we'll swap out the basics for bigger responsibilities that may include more household chores (sweeping, garbage,etc.) The first day she wanted to hang up her chore cards repeatedly to earn her flowers! It was hard not to laugh each time she asked to brush her teeth which was about every 15 minutes! She was beyond enthusiastic and still is!
Step 2: Decide on your chore card shape (I picked raindrops!).
Step 3: Draw out each chore onto the card shape (Google search your chores if you get stuck--you'll find lots of great ideas but keep it simple!).
Step 4: Artify your chore cards! I stood in the kitchen for less than an hour one night just before I went to bed and used watercolors. I used the watercolors in a thick manner to make them really vivid and brilliant! Watercolors don't have to be washed out and light.
Step 5: Hole punch at the top of your chore card and tie a small piece of ribbon. Double check that it is easy for little hands and fingers to put the card on and off the pegs. I had to make my first ribbon longer and I'm glad I did because Ruby fumbled at first and definitely needed a long ribbon to successfully hang her cards.
Step 6: Show your little one their new chore chart!
Explaination of my Rainbow themed chore chart...I had this ugly peg rack for at least 2 months and kept putting if off until one night I was able to put together a comprensive idea that involved science and nature. The idea is that for each chore Ruby completes she can hang one of her raindrops. Once she has finished all three she then gets to pick out a flower to clip onto her tiny terra cotta pot. So, she gets her rain which then waters her pot which then "grows" her flower! It continues our conversations we have about gardening and how things grow. I was inspired by this book, "What Makes a Rainbow" that has these fun ribbons that add to the rainbow each time you turn the page.
So, there you have it! Ruby's Rainbow of Responsibilities!!!
What is your chore chart theme?
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