A chore chart is an organizational tool used to list chores for people in a particular household. Often used in households that have children, chore charts provide a visual aid, making it easy for family members to see exactly what they are expected to do on any given day. For example, this type of chart may list such things as making beds, sweeping and mopping the floor, doing dishes, and taking out the trash. It can help to eliminate the forgetfulness that often causes people to fall behind on their assigned tasks.
A chore chart may be designed to hold tasks for just one person or several. If it is intended for just one person, it may be set up like a calendar, with various chores assigned for different days. Often, a space is left on the chore chart to allow the person to check off the chores he or she has performed on that day. If the chore chart is intended for more than one person, a similar setup may be used, but more columns will be needed to allow for the inclusion of different names and a variety of chores. When multiple people are included on a chore chart, it may be more helpful to list of chores by day and fill in the name of the person who is scheduled to do each chore on a particular day.
Although chore charts are typically used to organize household tasks, they can also be used at workplaces. They may be useful for assigning employees tasks that are somewhat unrelated to their job descriptions or require taking turns. For example, if a company has a kitchen or common area that employees are allowed to use, a chore chart may be useful for making sure the space is kept clean and orderly. One employee may be assigned the task of cleaning the coffee pot, for example, while another is assigned the task of wiping down counters at the end of every day.
In some cases, a chore chart may be used to implement a reward system. This is often the case when chore charts are used with younger children. A child may receive a star or some other type of acknowledgment for every task he or she successfully completes. At the end of the week, or at the end of the month, the parent may choose to provide some form of reward for completing all or a set number of the assigned chores. For example, if a child makes his bed every day of the week, he may be rewarded with a DVD rental or some other treat.
