Chore Chart for Sensitive Kids

Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic center. As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. If you seek a diagnosis or treatment for your child or student, please contact a trained professional who can provide an evaluation of the child.

Unless you are like Monica on Friends, you probably hate cleaning and organizing just as much as I do, which means, battling with our kids to do chores and help around the house is equally as challenging. But, when we can motivate them to help, they not only make our lives easier with a clean house, they also secretly get lots of sensory benefits from sweeping, taking out the garbage, dusting, organizing the kitchen and helping with the laundry.

Many times I hear parents say, “they just throw tantrums when I ask them to help around the house” or “they ignore me when I give them a task to do.” If you are like me, sometimes it just feels easier to do the tasks yourself, but as a parent, you know giving your children opportunities to work hard and learn from the work they do is important. Maybe the trick is assigning our kids chores that still have learning benefits, but fit their needs better. This is especially important if you have a child who is sensitive to certain textures and noises or a child who has ADHD or an Auditor Processing Disorder.

You may think chores are too difficult for kids to do if they face some of these challenges, but the physical activity that comes with carrying items and using their arms and legs to compete many of the chores actually calms them, helps them focus, and reduces their anxiety. So now we are killing two birds with one stone. Brilliant right?

“But what types of chores will help create a more positive experience with my kids who struggle with sensory issues or ADHD?” I hear you say. Because every child is different, you may need to experiment, but there are many chores you can do with your kids that won’t create tantrums or even make their skin crawl as you see here in 7 Smart Chores for Sensory Kids.

Or, even better, we have created a handy dandy chore chart that gives you some great ideas to target the specific needs of your child in whatever area makes them feel most comfortable.

Helpful Hint

Remember, if your child needs more sensory input or has trouble with attention and focus, try giving them chores with a lot of movement and heavy weight (like carrying a laundry basket or mowing the lawn). This gives them the sensory input they need. If your child is afraid of loud noises, avoid chores that forces kids to use equipment like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, or even the garbage disposal. If your child is sensitive to texture, they may find organizing and sorting easier than doing the dishes or using cleaning supplies.

This list is a great starting point for your kids, but it doesn’t list all the chores you can have your kids do. Some chores may also fall into several different categories and chore types.

Integrated Learning Strategies is a Utah-based center dedicated to helping mainstream children and children with learning challenges achieve academic success. Our services provide kids with non-traditional tutoring programs within the Davis County, Kaysville, Layton, Syracuse, Farmington, and Centerville areas. Areas to find Integrated Learning Strategies include: Reading tutors in Kaysville, Math tutors in Kaysville, Common Core Tutors in Kaysville, Tutors in Utah, Utah Tutoring Programs