They say it takes a village to raise a child. Likewise, it takes a dozen different methods to teach one. Unfortunately, kids are not the same, nor do they learn like one another. Just when you have one figured out, along comes another child with a different set of ideas and learning methods. We have been featuring different methods and resources to teach chores and other tasks. We started by learning about appropriate ages for chores, moved on to task initiation strategies, continued to find ways to prevent the summer slide, and finally we are onto the task trackers.
As a pediatric OT, I use a form of a task tracker in most therapy sessions, in the way of a checklist or visual schedule of some type. This is another version that is great for specific needs.
Free Task Tracker Worksheet
Once you have established a set of chores/tasks that you would like your learner to complete, it is time to implement a few different task trackers and charts. In this post you can get access to our free Task Tracker worksheet.
Simply add your email below, and the OT Toolbox will send you the free PDF for downloading. Better yet, you can become a member of the OT Toolbox. This will save you from having to add your email address each time we post a fabulous new resource. Plus, the membership area has a lot of resources that are exclusive to members. I love that the posts and other information on in the membership area is grouped by different categories. One quick search will bring you dozens (or hundreds) of cool resources.
WHY DO WE NEED A TASK TRACKER?
In some ways, increased paperwork might seem like more work. In reality, paper charts cut down on your overall effort, by streamlining tasks and ideas. How many of you benefit from to do lists, calendars, and visual aids? I know I do. I have several checklists, charts, and worksheets to help me remember everything I need to do in a timely manner.
A Task Tracker is another type of chart, checklist, and to do sheet, all in one. Besides independence, self-confidence, and following a routine, we are building executive functioning skills with the task tracker, by working on problem solving, task initiation, follow through, attention, self-regulation, self-reflection, and more.
Without a visual aid, it is difficult not only to complete all the task but makes self-reflection more difficult. As a therapist, I am often data driven. We log what we see and do, not only to document it, but to reflect.
HOW DOES THE TASK TRACKER WORK?
Like many resources from the OT Toolbox, there are different ways to use this task tracker. By the time you have a task tracker, you have most likely modeled, taught, and reviewed the tasks several times. The task tracker comes in when your learner is working on doing their chores (or daily tasks) mostly independently.
Your task tracker can be as unique as your learner. You can use one tracker for each day or week. The list can include several trials of the same task, or a complete list to finish.
THIS OR THAT?
At the top is a column called “this or that”. You can use this column in several ways.
- Prefill in this section with two choices in each box. Your learner can circle the one they choose for the day/week/hour, or whatever time frame they are allowed for each task.
- Your learner can repeat the same two tasks (picking whichever one that day) for the allotted number of trials.
- Example of This or That: I might put do the dishes and/or fold laundry in the “this or that” column. Scenario one allows for multiple trials of the two selected task. Scenario two would add two different variables in each row.
- Another way to fill in this area is to have a separate list of chores, or tasks. Your learner can fill in each box with their choice from the list. Giving your learner some autonomy and choice will help them get motivated to complete the task (or get started if they are struggling in this area).
- One way to complete this activity section is to make sure that all the tasks get done at some point. Therefore, your learner has a choice in the order they do things, but everything eventually gets done.
- Maybe you think differently and truly want to give your learner autonomy in what help they provide. There are benefits and drawbacks to this approach.
HOW YOU ARE WORKING ON IT TODAY
This section of the task tracker has another great visual. Your learner can check to the right if they are doing it, or have it finished. The middle-dotted line can be left blank, or your learner can describe how it is getting done.
I see the “how are you working on it” section for tasks that have multiple parts, require practice or trials, or need to be problem solved.
Your learner can keep their to do list organized by visually documenting if they are in progress, must get started, or have already completed the tasks.
DATE ACTIVITY CHECK MARK
This section below in the task tracker is yet another visual reminder for logging tasks. This works great for accountability, but also if you are working on a reward system. Your learner can log the number of trials they have done, practices, or the list they have completed.
THE TOP WIN on a Task Tracker
As an exercise in executive functioning and task completion, this section lets your learner reflect on their progress. What was their top win for the week? Perhaps they have logged the same task eight times, and on the eighth time they did it without help. Maybe you got all your tasks done for the week. That is certainly a top win.
You might need to help your learner reflect at first. They may not have the sight to reflect on their accomplishments yet. Try not to give the answers, but maybe ask questions. Was there something you did by yourself? Did you get more than you thought you would done?
I FED MY ENERGY BY
This section on the task tracker is another exercise in self-reflection. How did your learner get through the tough times? What did they use for motivation to get started?
They might think literally like “I ate seven snacks a day” or “I drank lots of water”. These are indeed ways to feed ones’ energy. Other ways to feed energy might be working toward a reward, realizing some tasks build muscle and strength, or pleasing someone else. Hopefully they did not feed their energy by fearing what would happen if they did not finish the task, or refused to get started.
Fear of retribution is a good motivator, but not the best idea. Far better to work toward a positive reward, than fearing a negative one.
WAYS TO MODIFY AND PERSONALIZE YOUR TASK TRACKER
There are many ways to modify, personalize, and adapt your task tracker:
- Laminate the task tracker to make it reusable.
- Make it bigger. Blow up the task tracker to a larger sheet of paper to post somewhere prominent
- Make it smaller. By shrinking the task tracker, you can make it pocket sized
- Add picture symbols for non-readers
- Prefill some of the areas and have your learner circle their choice. This can be done in all sections, especially if your learner has difficulty reflecting and writing answers
- Print it onto colored paper – colored paper can be motivating
- GLITTER! I love some glitter. The shinier the better. When I walk by a glittery list , it may help me get started.
- Change the types of tasks. Tasks do not need to be chores. They can be school work, self care, activities of daily living, or daily tasks. Your list might have reading/writing/math for 20 minutes. My list might have brush your teeth/take a shower/get dressed as items to be completed.
OTHER GREAT RESOURCES
- Executive Functioning
- Appropriate ages for chores
- Benefits of to do lists
- Task initiation strategies
- Visual Reward system
- The Ultimate chore list
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE TASK TRACKER
This task tracker does not need to be exclusively for children. Young adults, or anyone who struggles with executive functioning can benefit from visual resources and reminders to get them through tasks. At first these types of activities take time, but with practice they tend to go quicker. Once your learner is adept at doing tasks and chores, they may not need this list, or be able to visualize it in their mind. Many learners get stalled at the idea of doing tasks, or their first roadblock. Use visual guides to help them succeed.
Free Task Tracker Sheet
We have a printable task tracker sheet that you can use starting today. We love to use this worksheet to support executive functioning skills by breaking down the steps of tasks. We love this as school based OTs for completing school assignments, homework, projects with multiple steps, chores, and daily functional tasks. Use it in a way that works for your needs!
Victoria Wood, OTR/L is a contributor to The OT Toolbox and has been providing Occupational Therapy treatment in pediatrics for more than 25 years. She has practiced in hospital settings (inpatient, outpatient, NICU, PICU), school systems, and outpatient clinics in several states. She has treated hundreds of children with various sensory processing dysfunction in the areas of behavior, gross/fine motor skills, social skills and self-care. Ms. Wood has also been a featured speaker at seminars, webinars, and school staff development training. She is the author of Seeing your Home and Community with Sensory Eyes.
