How to get your child involved in cleaning
Turning chores into fun activities
#letters_from_clea
Copyright: cottonbro, Pexels
Not every adult likes to put things in order, and children find this activity even more boring. Please don't be an authoritarian leader! There is nothing worse than forcing a child to clean. Motivation is the best helper in this case.
Children need two things: for the activity to be interesting and for their hard work to be rewarded. Let's talk about how to use this principle to turn household chores into a game.
Children need two things: for the activity to be interesting and for their hard work to be rewarded. Let's talk about how to use this principle to turn household chores into a game.
Talk To Yourself First
Remember the favorite phrase of all the stewardesses in the world: “First put the mask on yourself, then the child” In our case, it works, too.
Promise yourself two things:
If you do decide to get your kids involved in cleaning up, be patient. You didn’t do well the first time, either, our goal is to join and accustom a child to order in the long-term, not to get a perfect result right away at any cost with the help of spent nerves and children's tears. Older children can have higher requirements, but still do not insist on perfection. Take a deep breath and…be patient!
Promise yourself two things:
- That you won't demand perfection
- That you won't “stand over your shoulder” or fix everything up
If you do decide to get your kids involved in cleaning up, be patient. You didn’t do well the first time, either, our goal is to join and accustom a child to order in the long-term, not to get a perfect result right away at any cost with the help of spent nerves and children's tears. Older children can have higher requirements, but still do not insist on perfection. Take a deep breath and…be patient!
Assemble A Team Of Superheroes
Once you get in the mood to work together, talk to your child. Make sure to explain what your task is, why order in the house is important for everyone, including them, and exactly what tasks they have to do.
Copyright: Ron Lach, Pexels
Tell them how interesting it is. For example, ask your little helpers (or helper) to imagine that you are a team of superheroes who have to save the world from the mess and in the process, periodically remind them that you are a team. This way, you'll kill two birds with one stone: convey the importance of order and teach kids how to work as a team.
Think Of Tom Sawyer
Tom Sawyer came up with an ingenious way to get all the kids in the neighborhood to enjoy painting the fence in two steps. First, he showed them the appeal of the activity. Second, he promised a reward, thereafter, all he had to do was watch as the kids raced to the fence to do the work.
Here are three ways you can encourage children to clean up:
Hold a contest for the best helper.
Write the tasks down on little pieces of paper, put them in a box, and have everyone (you included!) draw lots. Give a reward to the person who does the best job. Put on your children's favorite music and have fun getting to grips with it!
Show or tell something new
All children are curious, show them how a vacuum cleaner works and ask a little helper to vacuum a small area.
Tell them that invisible dust particles contain microorganisms, and your job is to collect them on a damp rag and send them on a round trip through the plumbing.
Have a Foam Party.
Put the kids in the tub, give them sponges in their hands, pour baby shampoo on the sponges, and let kids cover everything their hands can reach with the foam. This way you can combine business with pleasure. Kids will have fun and the bath will be cleaner. Yes, everyone will get wet, and the shampoo consumption will be high, but it's worth it to show kids that cleaning is fun!
Here are three ways you can encourage children to clean up:
Hold a contest for the best helper.
Write the tasks down on little pieces of paper, put them in a box, and have everyone (you included!) draw lots. Give a reward to the person who does the best job. Put on your children's favorite music and have fun getting to grips with it!
Show or tell something new
All children are curious, show them how a vacuum cleaner works and ask a little helper to vacuum a small area.
Tell them that invisible dust particles contain microorganisms, and your job is to collect them on a damp rag and send them on a round trip through the plumbing.
Have a Foam Party.
Put the kids in the tub, give them sponges in their hands, pour baby shampoo on the sponges, and let kids cover everything their hands can reach with the foam. This way you can combine business with pleasure. Kids will have fun and the bath will be cleaner. Yes, everyone will get wet, and the shampoo consumption will be high, but it's worth it to show kids that cleaning is fun!
Copyright: Ron Lach, Pexels
Let me repeat: there is nothing more important in getting children involved in cleaning up than creating the right attitude. Don't force, don't coerce, be patient, and it will pay off.
Instead of dictating to the kids what they should do, speak from a partner position (you're a team, remember?) Phrases like “There's an important task for you” or “Your help is needed here” are much more effective.
I wish your team great success!
Clea.
Instead of dictating to the kids what they should do, speak from a partner position (you're a team, remember?) Phrases like “There's an important task for you” or “Your help is needed here” are much more effective.
I wish your team great success!
Clea.
Your personal clean-up coach
Clea N.