How To Get Your Child To Clean Up
Clean-up? Ah yes, the dreaded ‘C-word right before bedtime (or maybe every single time a new toy is pulled off the toy shelf). Or basically, when you know, you’ve had enough of the mess already. And some help from your little ones wouldn’t go amiss from time to time. Because someone has to clear the mess they’ve made (and it would be nice if the perpetrators of the mess themselves were the ones who did it).
So how do we do it? From one learning parent to another, here are some tips for you to get your child to clean up in no time.
1. Build it into your routine.
Remember that for your child to clean up after themselves doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a whole load of patience, practice, and repetition. The same way that we build the bedtime routines of our little ones.
The best way for them to build clean up into their habits and routine is to attach a certain action that they already normally do to a prompt word for them to know what to do.
Some of the first few words that you can begin with your kids are “return”, “pick up”, and “wipe”. Model returning their toys to the toy shelf after playing. Picking up the toys that they just threw. Wiping their hands and the table after they eat. You can then increase their cue words and the actions that are associated with it to clean up.
2. Invite them to do your daily chores around the house.
To get your kids to actually do cleanups on their own, or at least to provide them the chance and opportunity to do it, will eventually help build in them the independence and skills they’d need in the future (big time). In parenting, we’re always playing the long game. So even as tempting as it is to just clean up yourself (because it’s just so much faster and easier), if you have the extra time, expose them to the act of cleaning up.
Invite them to help you as you clean the floors (sweep, and mop), do the laundry, put their dirty laundry in the basket, and return their clothes to their cabinet. Check out my Instagram highlight story for my Little Bean in action on some age-appropriate chores!
But don’t force them to actually do it, when they’ve said no. But do take note that toddlers are naturally helpful. And more than anything else, they want to spend more time together with you, their favorite person in the world.
3. Break down your instructions into more concrete steps.
Remember that your toddler’s brain is still in the formative stage. It takes time for them to process your words, and the intended actions, and to actually execute them properly. Apply the same rules here, ‘practice, patience, and repetition’. Especially if you’re introducing a new word to them.
Vaguely telling them to clean up may also cause confusion to your little one. For picking up their toys, instead of saying ‘let’s clean up’, you can be more specific and tell them to pick up all of their toy cars and return them to where they should be. Keep in mind to be specific and to simplify your words.
4. Create a system and home for their toys.
Kids thrive in order, routines, and stable boundaries. Hence, to help develop cleanliness in your kids, creating a system for you to easily rotate your toys and store them well would help you (and your sanity) in the long run.
When your kids’ toys (and everything else in your home, actually) have a home on their own, your kids will eventually know where things are supposed to be returned. It also creates a sense of stability, knowing what (or more precisely, where) to expect certain things to happen.
Again, this takes patience, practice, and repetition for both you and your little one. Expect a lot of trial and error, and for this system to evolve through time. At the end of the day, as the parent, you’re the one to decide on what’s best for you and your family.
Summary: Getting your child to clean up is not an overnight deal. But just as anything worth it doesn’t necessarily come easy, the process will all be worth it at the end (basically everything and anything related to respectful parenting).
If you want also other parenting posts in this blog:
How To Create ‘Yes Spaces’ (Safe Spaces for Your Toddler)
Ways To Repair With Your Child After Yelling at Them
How to Use Praise to Gently Discipline Your Child
As always, cheering for you in this parenting journey we have together.
Kristine 🌸✨
