How to Get Kids to Work as a Team to Get Chores and Other Tasks Done

Sometimes getting kids, especially siblings, to work together on things like chores can be tough! But with a little creative motivation, it doesn't have to be a tug of war.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper and marker or pen
• Stickers (optional)
• Reinforcer, such as monetary reward or other benefit
• Timer (optional)

1. Create individual lists for each child, together on a single piece of paper. The shown example has 5 items, which is a good number of tasks for school aged children. Put a check box (for checkmarks or stickers) next to where each task will be listed.

2. 
    
   A completed example. Note the critical tasks, directions, and

   Put the most critical tasks as the first two on the list, followed by 2 slightly more challenging tasks. The last task is the most challenging for each child. (Either due to difficulty or least desirable task.) Provide one "wild card" task that could replace one of the tasks on either list. The rule is that all the other 4 must be complete first. This will encourage the child to get their 4 done before the other child so they can have the alternate task. (On the example it is to clean the kitchen.)

3. Write the reward information at the bottom of the page. The concept is that both children do their tasks independently, but encourage the other to get their own tasks done. The kids will benefit when they do "their own" work, but both benefit more when they work together to complete both lists. If one child does not do their own critical tasks, the other will feel the consequence, so they encourage each other.

4. The shown example uses money, but you can use varying degrees of rewards such as computer time, "prizes", activities, etc.
   
   Neither child gets anything if BOTH do not complete their own top two tasks. Once the top two are complete for both, they earn $1 for each task past that. (One does nothing and the other does 3 things, and neither gat anything. One does two and the other does 4, and child B gets $2.)
   
   If a child does all 5 of their own tasks, they will get $3, as long as the other child did the top two. But if they both do all 5, they both get a $2 bonus, totalling $5 for each child.

Tips & Warnings

• Use one list, taped down in a central location, with stickers/pen handy so the kids always know where their task list is, and can check the other child's progress.
• Putting the "critical" tasks at the top ensures that the bare minimum that you can be OK with will get done! If they do not complete the list, at least they got through the shower first! (For instance!)
• This is GREAT for older kids who can be left alone, and you want to make sure they are doing something productive while you are gone. They learn that the more diligently they work, the more free time they will have.
• Have fun with the list, make it a game that is a happy, good thing, and the kids will have the same attitude!
• Don't forget to write down what the reward system is! The kids will want to reference it, and when they do, it is a reinforcement to get the job done.
• Once the list is made, let the kids do it on their own. If hounded to complete the lists, the kids don't learn to work together. If task completion only happens with constant parental interaction, the child doesn't learn the natural consequence of not completing the list.
• Don't overlook the bonus! It should be significant enough that it would be difficult for a child to pass up. (If they are earning 15 minutes of computer time per task, instead of 45 minutes, give them double time, for instance.)

Resources

• Lorin Neikirk Bibliography on Amazon.com
• NEW BOOK, "...But that's Another Story" My Autistic Insight on Einstein's Brain, Giving Good Blog and Occasional Distractibility
• teaching and parenting tools and resources
• Autism awareness stuff you'll WANT to wear!
• ASD Autsim Consulting

[justscott]

on 8/4/2009 Very good advice and well organized!