How to Use Charts in your Home
We love using charts in our home as tools to help teach our kids habits and guide them to independence! Buying a reward chart or other type of chart to use is one thing, but implementing it successfully in your home is another. This is where I come in–I am going to teach you exactly how to use charts in your home, so you can get the most out of it and it can become a useful tool to add to your parenting journey!
If there is one thing I’ve learned throughout my journey of motherhood, it’s this…
Sometimes you have to get creative and try something new—for our family, this looks like bringing in new charts to reach goals and bring new ideas into our home!
Why should I use charts and what are they?
Charts are a simple, visual tool that can lay out goals, expectations, and ideas! I have found a way to manage our home using charts in a way that promotes teamwork and gives our children a sense of responsibility for our home! I believe parenting is a journey of teaching our children how to live life in a way that will allow space for them to become who they are meant to be. My charts can help you set up your home in a way that can help teach your children how to take care of their own needs, lay out expectations and ideas in a way that is simple, and manage your home in a way that will feel good!
Who will benefit from using charts?
Charts are a way of visually laying out information in an organized way. They are often used in classroom settings because they are an easy way to get information across to students. Sometimes the goal is to be a reminder of expectations. Sometimes the goal is to have multiples way of getting information across. Sometimes the goal is to use it to track progress. One thing is for sure—most of us parents grew up seeing charts in our classrooms, why not use these helpful tools in our homes? I believe being a parent automatically makes you a teacher and your home is the classroom. Both parents and children can benefit from using charts if used in the right way.
I have been using charts in our home since my husband and I got married in 2014. Becoming a full-time stepmom pushed me to find creative ways to help our children develop habits that last long-term. We often talked about growing our family, but I knew in order to do so we had to get organized. Over the years, I have found that when we teach our kids healthy habits early on, whether it’s a necessary habit like potty training or one that you would just like to bring into your family like “helping others”, it allows more space for the fun stuff!
It took a while for me to learn how to use charts correctly. When I first started using charts, I would get frustrated and wonder why they wouldn’t work long-term. With lots of trial and error as well as communicating with my kids as they got older, I have found the right way to use charts—it just involves a little bit of teaching and accountability!
How to use charts in your home:
Talk to your kids about the chart and its purpose (ex: We are going to use this chart to track when you brush your teeth! When you get to the end, we plan to buy you a new toothbrush!)
Put the chart near where the habit takes place (for example: a potty training chart should go near or in the bathroom)
Show them exactly how to use it (decide whether you will use a dry-erase marker, stickers, or if it’s there just to have a visual reminder!)
Consider doing a couple of practice runs (“play” a game of “you go lay down in your bed, wake up, and we will pretend to mark off the chart together!” and explain that is what you will do each time this happens.”)
Notice when they are using it, guide them if they need extra help, and offer positive words of encouragement! (Helpful phrases to use below!)
If it’s a reward chart—reward them with something you can consistently provide (Don’t underestimate the power of free rewards like extra time to stay up late, park dates, etc.) For other charts, say encouraging and positive phrases (see below)!
When they finish the chart, consider whether they have that habit down and move on to a new chart! Rotating charts makes charts fun and keeps things interesting—remember the goal of a chart is to temporarily provide visual support while creating a new habit or bring new ideas into your home!
When using charts, avoid the following:
Hang it up and expect change (learned from experience)
Use negative “IF” statements (ex: If you don’t brush your teeth then you don’t get to mark off your chart.)
Direction association with the chart (ex: It’s time to brush your teeth so you can mark off your reward chart.)
Put pressure on children using the chart (ex: Getting upset if your child doesn’t follow the chart correctly.)
Some notes: Charts are tools to encourage certain behaviors + learning! With some positivity and patience, they can help a child visually see their progress and help motivate them. They should be used temporarily while you are working on certain skills! Consider rotating charts in your home to give your children consistency with their expectations!
Positive phrases to consider using with charts:
-I see you “insert a use of the chart”! Thank you!
-It’s helpful when you “insert a use of the chart”!
-I can tell you are trying hard to “insert the use of the chart”!
-Let’s “insert the use of the chart”!
-How does it feel after you “insert the use of the chart”?
-Can you show me “insert use of the chart”?
How to talk to your kids about charts:
Show your kids the chart and let them know when you will use it and the habit you are working on. I think showing them the chart a few days ahead of time helps make it exciting! (You may even notice them doing the “task” ahead of time. If that happens go ahead and start the chart!)
A few ideas of things to say about the new chart:
Chore Chart: “I’m noticing you’re having a hard time remembering to put your dishes in the sink, so I found something new we can try!”
Reading Chart: “Every time you read a book with me, we will mark it off on this chart and once we fill the whole page, we can visit the bookstore and you can pick out a new book!”
Reward Charts
What is a reward chart?
A reward chart is a visual tool that allows you to set specific goals for your child and track their progress when they achieve those goals by marking it as completed on the chart. I make it easy for you to create a custom reward chart that allows you to change the colors, including their name, and even put a cute picture on it! (Check them out here)
Different ways you can use a reward chart:
A reward chart for potty training
A reward chart for behavior
A reward chart for reading
A reward chart for bedtime
A reward chart for music practice
A reward chart for healthy eating
A reward chart for exercising
A reward chart for sleep
A reward chart for throwing trash away (yes we have done this)
A few things to try if your reward chart is not working:
Consider the attention you bring to the reward chart. Like with all things motherhood related, there is a delicate balance. Be consistent with reminders and positive reinforcement. Praise them when they remember on their own!
Try being the one to mark off when your child completes their task!
On the alternative, let them mark it off themselves.
Make sure you are offering the reward when they earn it. It can be confusing if they are working hard only to get a delay for a reward.
Switch it up! Consider using it for a different goal, or offering a smaller reward after 5 stickers, etc.
Put it up. If your child seems resistant to the change at first, put it up and try again in a couple ofInstagram days. Message me on instagram for support or if you need more advice!
Sometimes just talking to our kids about why we do certain things can really help with motivation!
If the chart is working too well: aka they start reading 10 books a day so they can mark off the boxes (learned from experience):
Talk to them about how you are proud that they love reading books, or are going potty, or helping others, and let them finish the chart for that goal! They are learning how this new chart works and it’s important to let them go through the full chart.
Consider using the chart again for another habit or put the chart up and use it for a similar goal at a later time.
Remember to offer rewards as they continue the habit. For example: If they are still reading books, give them positive attention for it, and consider rewarding them with something like going to the library to get some new books.
While reward charts are not necessary for teaching good habits, it’s helpful for children to have a visual to refer to when they are working hard to do something new or something that requires learning on their part! If you have used a reward chart of mine, I would LOVE to hear from you about how it went in your home! Message me on Instagram and let me know more about your journey! I love helping others with their parenting journey.
