Forget bribery, intimidation and threats — a new app is designed to encourage children to do chores by turning the tasks into a game and giving them points when tasks are completed.
The app called ChoreMonster, available for iOS devices and on the web, aims to make household chores, such as setting the table, feeding the pets or unloading the dishwasher, fun.
“There are usually enough chores in a week to redeem some sort of reward,” said Chris Bergman, the founder and CEO of Cincinnati, Ohio-based company ChoreMonster.
The rewards, which are provided by the parents, can range from privileges like sleepovers or a family outing to video games or a cash allowance.
“It’s exactly what you would expect kids would want and also more esoteric rewards,” Bergman explained.
Parents assign chores through the app and include the completion dates along with the number of points the child will earn. They also set rewards, including the number needed to receive them.
The child can then log in to their account and review the chores and rewards.
“If rewards aren’t enough incentive, the empowerment typically is,” said Bergman.
When the task is done, the child marks it in the app and the parent is notified and prompted to verify that it was completed well. After the parent approves the task, the child is awarded the points.
The app helped 21,000 children complete more than 300,000 chores during the eight months it was tested before launch at the end of 2012, according to its makers…
Read More: thestar.com
