We’ve started to more formally implement chores at home — at least for G. I think turning 4 is a sign he’s ready to add on some more responsibility, and this is a great way to do that in a fun way. I give all credit to Make & Takes for this idea.

Simply write age-appropriate tasks on one end wide wooden craft sticks; let your child color the other tips their favorite color. Stick them into a jar, facing either direction you choose. Every morning, when G completes a task, we flip it over. When all of them are flipped, he is free to have free time of his choice (play computer games, go outside, etc.). Our list is:
- Take breakfast dishes to the sink.
- Make my bed.
- Tidy up my room.
- Get dressed.
- Brush my teeth.
- Hug someone!

The last one is a fun one. I love him watching him seek out and hug his sister, who’s usually looking at him in a funny way. I have hopes that one day soon he’ll hug her unprompted! (I occasionally hear him tell her, “I love you.” Nothing prepares you for that sweet sound.)

(Thanks, Make & Takes, for a very fun way to encourage helping out!)