Many kids help parents to do chores(家务) like washing the dishes, cleaning the floors and taking out the trash in the house. In return, some kids get money or other rewards (奖励from their parents, such as 20 minutes to play computer games.

But some people do not think that kids should get rewards(奖赏) for doing chores. One of them is Susie Walton, a parenting educator. She believes that if kids get rewards, they will think that work isn’t worth(值得) doing unless you get something in return. For example, kids won’t sweep the floor if they see it is dirty. But they will clean the floor if their parents reward them for it.

“Every house is team work,” Susie said. “A home is a living space for everyone in the family. It’s important for kids to see that we all have responsibilities(责任) to keep our home clean.

Other people have different opinions. They believe that money or other rewards can motivate(激励) kids to do more chores. It also teaches them real world lessons about how we need to work to make money.

Now, there are also apps(应用软件) that motivate kids to do chores. The apps give kids points and digital gifts. Children can use the points and digital gifts either online or in the real world. With the ChoreMonster app, kids get digital points after doing chores. Kids can exchange their points for real rewards, such as time to play video games or a trip to the mall.

“What we want to do is to motivate kids to get rewards," says Chris Bergman, founder(创建者) of ChoreMonster. “Kids need to make themselves do chores actively.”

Do you like walking? A thirteen-year-old girl named Jenny likes walking very much. She likes walking because she thinks walking is good for her health. “My home is 6 kilometers from my school. I get up at 6:00 every morning. Then I have a good breakfast. I think breakfast is very important to us. If we don’t eat breakfast in the morning, we can’t do well in our studies. After breakfast, I walk to school. I can see many interesting things and people on my way to the school. I can also think about what to do or how to do things at school.” says Jenny. “My father buys a new car and he wants to take me to school every morning. But I think I need to exercise and I ask my father to exercise, too.”

“Now he walks to work. After dinner, my father, my mother and I usually take a walk in the park near our house. I have a happy family. And we have a healthy life.”

How do you go to school every day? Walk to school now. It’s good exercise. It’s also good for the environment (环境). Do you think so?

Mrs. Read is talking about her children.

My five-year-old daughter, Ella, has to clean up her toys and her bedroom. And she needs to help do the dishes and clean the table after supper. She also helps daddy get water and food for the dog. She told me she wanted to mop(用湿拖把拖) the floor, but I’m not ready to get her to do it. If she is good and does all that she needs to do for the week, she will get 5 dollars and a movie.

My three-year-old daughter, Anna, has to clean up her toys, her bedroom, and any mess that she makes. If she is good and does all that she needs to do for the week, she will get 3 dollars and a movie. My two-year-old son, Steve, doesn’t do any chores yet. He will not be so ＂lucky＂ next year.