HOUSEHOLD TASK MANAGEMENT GAME AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A household task management game includes a set of household task cards, a set of identification cards, a set of reward cards, and a set of consequence cards. Each of the household task cards lists a different household task. Each of the identification cards has an identification side that includes an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written, which information includes a name of a child and at least one household task drawn randomly from the set of household task cards with an expected due date of completion. Each of the reward cards lists a different pleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a reward for completing at least one randomly drawn household task. Each of the consequence cards lists a different unpleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a consequence for not completing a randomly drawn household task.

Claims

1. A household task management game comprising: a set of household task cards, each listing a different household task to be performed by a child; a set of identification cards, each having an identification side comprising an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written, including a name of a child and at least one household task drawn randomly from said set of household task cards with an expected due date of completion; a set of reward cards, each listing a different pleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a reward for completing at least one randomly drawn household task; and a set of consequence cards, each listing a different unpleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a consequence for not completing at least one randomly drawn household task.

2. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein said set of household task cards comprises: pre-printed household task cards, each listing a different pre-printed household task, including regular chores that are to be performed by a child at shorter time intervals including daily or weekly intervals, irregular chores to be performed by a child at longer time intervals including monthly or quarterly intervals, and laundry chores including washing, sorting, and folding clothing; and blank household task cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected household task thereon.

3. The household task management game of claim 2, wherein at least one of said pre-printed household task cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed household task.

4. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein each of said set of identification cards has a pre-printed personal task side opposite said identification side and listing personal space cleaning and hygiene tasks to be completed on one or more days of the week, a list of days of the week, and checkboxes to mark expected and actual day of completion, wherein said pre-printed personal task side comprises an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written.

5. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein said set of reward cards comprises: pre-printed reward cards, each listing a different pre-printed reward, including small rewards of a smaller value or cost and large rewards of a larger value or cost; and blank reward cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected reward thereon.

6. The household task management game of claim 5, wherein at least one of said pre-printed reward cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed reward.

7. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein said set of consequence cards comprises: pre-printed consequence cards, each listing a different pre-printed consequence; and blank consequence cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected consequence thereon.

8. The household task management game of claim 7, wherein at least one of said pre-printed consequence cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed consequence.

9. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein the household task management game further comprises dry erase markers.

10. The household task management game of claim 9, wherein the household task management game further comprises a calendar comprising an erasable surface to permit users to temporarily write information relating to assigned tasks and dates of completion and dates when a reward will be provided.

11. The household task management game of claim 10, wherein the household task management game further comprises reusable vinyl stickers comprising symbols corresponding to rewards and household or personal tasks, wherein said stickers are removably attachable to said erasable calendar to mark expected and actual dates of completion.

12. The household task management game of claim 1, wherein the household task management game further comprises a set of attachment devices to temporarily attach said identification cards to a household surface including a wall or a refrigerator.

13. The household task management game of claim 12, wherein each of said set of attachment devices comprises magnets.

14. A method of using the household task management game of claim 1, comprising the steps of: having a child randomly select one of said set of said household task cards; writing the name of the child, the selected household task, and an expected due date of completion on the erasable surface of the identification side of one of said identification cards; and one of (A) and (B): (A) when the child completes the selected household task in a satisfactory manner by the expected due date, having the child randomly select one of said set of reward cards, then providing the reward by a selected date; and (B) when the child does not complete the selected household task in a satisfactory manner or by the expected due date, having the child randomly select one of said set of consequence cards, then performing the consequence by a selected due date.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of said set of identification cards has a pre-printed personal task side opposite said identification side and listing personal space cleaning and hygiene tasks to be completed on one or more days of the week, a list of days of the week, and checkboxes to mark expected and actual day of completion, wherein said pre-printed personal task side comprises an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written, wherein said method further comprises: marking one of said checkboxes to assign a corresponding personal space cleaning or hygiene task to be completed and an expected day of completion; and one of (C) and (D): (C) when the child completes the selected personal space cleaning or hygiene task in a satisfactory manner by the expected day of completion, having the child randomly select one of said set of reward cards, then providing the reward by a selected date; and (D) when the child does not complete the selected personal space cleaning or hygiene task in a satisfactory manner by the expected day of completion, having the child randomly select one of said set of consequence cards, then performing the consequence by a selected due date.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having pre-printed information thereon.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having pre-printed information and a blank space thereon and writing a parent-selected modification to pre-printed information in said blank space.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having blank space thereon and writing a parent-selected information in said blank space.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said method further comprises: using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having pre-printed information thereon; using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having pre-printed information and a blank space thereon and writing a parent-selected modification to pre-printed information in said blank space; and using household task cards, reward cards, and consequence cards having blank space thereon and writing a parent-selected information in said blank space.

20. A household task management game comprising: a set of household task cards, each listing a different household task to be performed by a child, wherein said set of household task cards comprises: pre-printed household task cards, each listing a different pre-printed household task, including regular chores that are to be performed by a child at shorter time intervals including daily or weekly intervals, irregular chores to be performed by a child at longer time intervals including monthly or quarterly intervals, and laundry chores including washing, sorting, and folding clothing, wherein at least one of said pre-printed household task cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed household task, blank household task cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected household task thereon; a set of identification cards, each having an identification side comprising an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written, including a name of a child and at least one household task drawn randomly from said set of household task cards with an expected due date of completion, wherein each of said set of identification cards has a pre-printed personal task side opposite said identification side and listing personal space cleaning and hygiene tasks to be completed on one or more days of the week, a list of days of the week, and checkboxes to mark expected and actual day of completion, wherein said pre-printed personal task side comprises an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written; a set of reward cards, each listing a different pleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a reward for completing at least one randomly drawn household task, wherein said set of reward cards comprises: pre-printed reward cards, each listing a different pre-printed reward, including small rewards of a smaller value or cost and large rewards of a larger value or cost, wherein at least one of said pre-printed reward cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed reward, blank reward cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected reward thereon; a set of consequence cards, each listing a different unpleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a consequence for not completing at least one randomly drawn household task, wherein said set of consequence cards comprises: pre-printed consequence cards, each listing a different pre-printed consequence, wherein at least one of said pre-printed consequence cards comprises an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed consequence, blank consequence cards, each comprising an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected consequence thereon; dry erase markers; a calendar comprising an erasable surface to permit users to temporarily write information relating to assigned tasks and dates of completion and dates when a reward will be provided; reusable vinyl stickers comprising symbols corresponding to rewards and household or personal tasks, wherein said stickers are removably attachable to said erasable calendar; and a set of attachment devices to temporarily attach said identification cards to a household surface including a wall or a refrigerator, wherein each of said set of attachment devices comprises magnets.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0011] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household task management game according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new household task management game embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0019] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the household task management game generally comprises a set of household task cards 12, a set of identification cards 14, a set of reward cards 16, and a set of consequence cards 18. Each of the set of household task cards 12 lists a different household task to be performed by a child. Each of the set of identification cards 14 has an identification side 20 that includes an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written, which information includes a name of a child and at least one household task drawn randomly from the set of household task cards 12 with an expected due date of completion. Each of the set of reward cards 16 lists a different pleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a reward for completing at least one randomly drawn household task. Each of the set of consequence cards 18 lists a different unpleasant experience for a child to be randomly drawn as a consequence for not completing at least one randomly drawn household task.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the set of household task cards 12 can include pre-printed household task cards 12, each listing a different pre-printed household task. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pre-printed household tasks include regular chores or PICK A CHORE that are to be performed by a child at shorter time intervals including daily or weekly intervals, irregular chores or PARENT'S PICK to be performed by a child at longer time intervals including monthly or quarterly intervals, and laundry chores or LAUNDRY LOTTO including washing, sorting, and folding clothing. At least one of the pre-printed household task cards 12 includes an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed household task. In addition, the set of household task cards 12 can include blank household task cards, each of which includes an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected household task thereon. It should be understood that for any of the cards described herein, the cards can be coated or made with an erasable surface, such as for use with dry erase markers 24, to permit temporary writing thereon, whether it is to freely enter information or mark or modify pre-printed information. In addition, for any of the cards described herein, they can include pre-printed information, blank spaces, or a combination thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a pre-printed chore of MOP THE FLOORS is printed on a PICK A CHORE card. In contrast, a pre-printed consequence of LOSE PHONE FOR HRS/DAYS is printed on a CONSEQUENCE card with a blank space to enter a selected number of hours and/or days. The blank versions of the cards provide great flexibility for parents to enter whatever tasks, rewards, and consequences best suit their children.

[0021] For each of the set of identification cards 14, there is also a pre-printed personal task side 22 opposite the identification side 20 that lists personal space cleaning and hygiene tasks to be completed on one or more days of the week, a list of days of the week, and checkboxes to mark expected and actual day of completion. The pre-printed personal task side 22 includes an erasable surface on which information is to be temporarily written. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the pre-printed personal task side 22 lists such tasks as making the bed identified as BED, cleaning a child's bedroom identified as CLEAN ROOM, taking a shower or bath identified as SHOWER/BATH, and brushing a child's teeth identified as BRSUH TEETH. Checkboxes are provided for days of the week on which these tasks are to be completed as well as morning and evening or AM/PM for tasks to be performed multiple times, such as brushing teeth.

[0022] The set of reward cards 16 also includes pre-printed reward cards 16, each listing a different pre-printed reward. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3, the rewards can be small rewards of a smaller value or cost, identified as LUCKY, such as the child being allowed to pick what the family has for dinner, and large rewards of a larger value or cost, identified as SURPRISE, such as the child receiving a trip to the movies. At least one of the pre-printed reward cards 16 includes an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed reward, like the CONSEQUENCE card shown. The set of reward cards 16 also includes blank reward cards 16, each including an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected reward thereon.

[0023] The set of consequence cards 18 also includes pre-printed consequence cards 18, each listing a different pre-printed consequence. At least one of the pre-printed consequence cards 18 includes an erasable surface and a blank section to permit a parent to write a parent-selected modification to a pre-printed consequence. The set of reward cards 16 also includes blank consequence cards 18, wherein each includes an erasable surface to permit a parent to write a parent-selected consequence thereon.

[0024] The household task management game 10 also includes dry erase markers 24, as shown in FIG. 1, as well as a box 32. In another possible embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the household task management game 10 includes a calendar 26 that includes an erasable surface to permit users to temporarily write information relating to assigned tasks and dates of completion and dates when a reward will be provided. The household task management game 10 also includes reusable vinyl stickers 28 that include symbols corresponding to rewards and household or personal tasks, wherein the stickers 28 are removably attachable to the erasable calendar 26. In another possible embodiment, the household task management game 10 includes a set of attachment devices 30 to temporarily attach the identification cards 14 to a household surface including a wall or a refrigerator, wherein each of the set of attachment devices 30 includes magnets.

[0025] In its most basic form, the household task management game 10 is used to organize the household tasks and promote performance thereof by the children using positive and negative reinforcement. The child randomly selects one of the set of the household task cards 12. The name of the child, the selected household task, and an expected due date of completion are written on the erasable surface of the identification side 20 of one of the identification cards 14. When the child completes the selected household task in a satisfactory manner by the expected due date, the child then randomly selects one of the set of reward cards 16, and the selected reward is then provided by a selected date. When the child does not complete the selected household task in a satisfactory manner or by the expected due date, the child randomly selects one of the set of consequence cards 18, and the selected consequence is then performed by a selected due date. It should be noted that parents are free to use whatever cards they wish in whatever manner they wish. For example, the parent could choose only a few cards to use, or only certain types of cards to use, based on age and knowledge of the children or other specific family needs or educational or performance goals. A parent is also free to select cards of any type for a child rather than using random selection.

[0026] When using the pre-printed personal task side 22 of the identification cards 14, the parent can mark one of the checkboxes to assign a corresponding personal space cleaning or hygiene task to be completed and an expected day of completion. When the child completes the selected personal space cleaning or hygiene task in a satisfactory manner by the expected day of completion, the child randomly selects one of the set of reward cards 16 and then the reward is provided by a selected date. When the child does not complete the selected personal space cleaning or hygiene task in a satisfactory manner by the expected day of completion, the child randomly selects one of the set of consequence cards 18 and then the consequence is performed by a selected due date. It should be noted that the parent can set whatever standards for success or failure as desired, including full completion of the task, performance of the task to certain level of quality, and performance of the task with a certain behavior or attitude.

[0027] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.