ResponsiBuilders chore game may be the best $25 you’ll spend on your kids. For the cost of a few movie tickets or one DVD you can easily teach your youngsters and even toddlers how to be responsible. As an 8th grade teacher our team motto is “Respect & Responsibility.” We feel these are two important values for young adolescents to learn. Teaching responsibility is extremely difficult, however, unless it has been fostered much earlier than13 years of age. And the best method for teaching kids responsibility is by making it fun. Luckily an inventive mom created a unique way to meet the challenge of making a 3three year old understand his or her role in the household with a game called ResponsiBuilders. A cost-effective, brightly illustrated set of cards are at the cornerstone of the game. Some examples of chores in the 50 card deck are:
- “The rugs are full of dirt and crumbs. Please take them out and shake them some.”
- “Oh I wish, wish, wish to help with the dishes, dishes, dishes!”
- “Oh my! Oh dear! The trash must go out and the garbage disappear!”
Depending on the age level, the game can be played as intended by having kids choose cards and place them in an optional fabric organizer making it a visual depiction that the chore is either on the “To Do” list or “Done” category. With a one and a half year old who enjoys plucking the cards from any column and tossing them on the floor, we modified the game by giving her a choice of two cards, placing it on the refrigerator as a reminder and then putting it away when the task is complete. The pictures are an easy, fun way to explain the duty to young children: “See the plant. We have a plant just like it over here. Your job today is to water the plant.” The best part of ResponsiBuilders…it works! The game has become an integral part of our routine and before long we hope our younger son will be in one the action and helping with chores rather than creating new ones.
Cool Giveaway: Enter to win one of two sets of ResponsiBuilders by visiting their site and commenting back here with one thing you learned not mentioned in this post.
Extra Entries: Earn extra entries and read the contest rules including how to subscribe for winner notification. US Only. Ends 11/3/09.
