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One of the main phrases I say on a daily basis (along with “stop bugging your sister” and “you just had a snack”) is “Try on your own first”.

Every kid goes through a do-it-myself phase, testing their own limits and abilities. I totally encourage it! Obviously, I’m close by to help if needed, but if they show interest in trying a new skill on their own I’m happy to allow it. I greatly support teaching independence and having my kids take responsibility for necessary daily tasks. Especially with three little ones, it’s not only healthy for them to learn these skills, but it’s helpful to me as well.

It’s not easy, but it’s SO worth it!

It takes patience at first. Watching your five-year-old unintentionally spread dog food across the kitchen counter while learning to feed the dogs takes a bit of determination.

Feeding the dogs is Squeaks’ newest responsibility, and not only is she excited to do it every day, but she’s SO proud of herself. It’s the same with making her bed, brushing her own teeth, and dressing herself. It was slow going at first (and making her own bed is still a work in progress), but the satisfaction she gets out of completing these tasks is wonderful! Then I feel proud too, ’cause look what my baby did! Cue proud mama tears.

Squeaks is a very visual person, she loves to see a task completed. So much so that she started putting a check mark over each completed math problem or spelling word and cheerfully exclaiming “Done!”. She must get it from me because I love a good to-do list. Is there anything more satisfying than checking off a finished job?! I’ve even been known to add completed jobs to my list just so I can check them off. 😉

When it came to encouraging Squeaks to complete a morning or evening routine I knew a daily responsibilities chart would be right up her alley.

The setup on our daily responsibilities chart is pretty self-explanatory. I created 35 separate icons for traditional tasks. I’ll be saving a good number of them for when Squeaks and her brothers are a bit older. Things like yard work, taking out the trash, and walking the dog. Since we’re fresh off the potty training scene with Squeaks (and just beginning it with Little Dude) there are two “potty” reminders for right after waking in the morning and right before bed at night.

I laminated the chart and added my beloved Velcro dots to secure each icon in its spot. Squeaks gets very happy about moving each completed job to the “done” section of the chart, as I knew she would. That’s my girl!

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Enjoying this post? You might also like Wise Choices Discipline Chart Printable

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A few of my design choices for our daily responsibilities chart were very specific.

It was an intentional choice to call this a responsibilities chart, not a chore chart. To me, the word chore brings up negative connotations. A chore is literally defined as a “disagreeable task”. On the other hand, taking responsibility for a task is empowering and even encouraging! After all, we are called to do our work “heartily, as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23), and that’s far from disagreeable. So no chores for us!

It was also intentional to only assign morning and evening responsibilities. Play is still the most important work at Squeaks’ age (5 last month!). I want her to enjoy childhood to the fullest and not always be tied to a list that must be completed. So morning tasks are finished quickly to give way to playtime. On a day we do school, it’s in the afternoons, and we follow our flexible loop schedule. Then by evening, Daddy is home and family time is king. As she gets older responsibilities will grow with her. Helping around the house will become second nature. We already enjoy time folding laundry together. She loves sorting socks! More power to ya kid. Haha! And I love the sweet conversations we have working together.

I believe this chart is also a step in the right direction to help Squeaks develop a servant’s heart. The Bible calls us to serve others and think of others’ needs before our own. By pitching in around the house with jobs that need to be done daily, she’s learning to think ahead and become a productive and helpful member of our family. This skill will serve her well later in life. The world needs more thoughtful helpers.

This daily responsibilities chart is a great way for Squeaks to visually recognize her routine and take pride in her independence. She loves seeing her progress and I love seeing how proud she is when her tasks are complete.

Get your Kids’ Daily Responsibilities Printable Chart here!

UPDATE! I now offer multiple versions of the Daily Responsibilities chart!

Many of you requested more icons, an “afternoon” section, and more room for older kids’ chores. I am thrilled these charts have been so helpful to so many families!

Also available now is a Week-At-Glance chart that corresponds perfectly with these responsibilities charts. The icons are the same size and design so they can be used interchangeably. Now your kiddos can get a full view of what’s coming each week. I love that these charts help with building independence and a sense of responsibility and freedom for so many kids. 

View all chart options here!

What creative ways have you found to encourage independence and help your kiddos learn responsibility?