How to Get Your Child to Clean Up
Benefits
For the child — Young children thrive on order. External order brings internal calm. Clutter impedes the brain’s development.
For you — Keep your house tidy and organized; no more cleaning up after the child!
Things to do
Begin with an orderly environment. Young children have an innate sense of order, and they get satisfaction by returning things to its original place. Use a low open shelf with trays and baskets of toys instead of dumping all the toys into a large storage box, so the child knows where each toy is, and the exact spot to put it back.
Limit the number of toys. Numerous studies have suggested that too many toys could harm the concentration level, creativity, and even mental health of children. Only have a few toys out and store the remaining in a place where it is not visible or accessible to your child. Rotate the toys on the shelf monthly, according to your child’s interests.
Set the rules and be consistent. In Montessori, freedom and discipline go hand in hand. The child is free to choose an activity at their own choice, but they must put away one toy before they can get another. Define the boundaries of the play area with either a child-size table or a rug. Toys must stay on the table top or within the rug. The key to enforce the rules is consistency and repetition, making it part of the process of playing and making it a habit.
Be a good role model. During the first six years of life — the period of “Absorbent Mind”, young children absorb everything from the surrounding environment, and form their characteristics by observing parents. We must show our children how we respect our environment and belongings, and how we keep our space clean and organized.
Offer choices. By giving the child the chance to make a decision, they are more likely to do what you want them to. “We will put X and Y back to your shelf. You pick up one, and I will do the other. Which one would you choose?” “If we don’t put X back to your shelf, we may step on it and get hurt. Ouch! (Act it out.) Would you rather any of us get hurt, or put the toy on the shelf?” “If we don’t put X back to your shelf, it may lose a piece. Would you rather have missing pieces, or put the toy back to the shelf?”
Make it fun. It’s hard, but as parents we have to be creative. Sing a “clean up” song. Make it a game, like counting pieces, sorting by shape or color, as we return the toys to the shelf.
Things to avoid
Don’t punish or reward your child. Don’t rely on external punishments or rewards, but internalize cleaning up as a habit and a routine. Avoid saying something like “If you don’t clean up now, we are not going to the zoo tomorrow”. Instead, highlight the natural consequences — “We will play with Y when you put X away.” “Your shelf (Our living room) will look so beautiful and organized when you put your toys back.”
Don’t unnecessarily interrupt your child during an activity. Children are more likely to clean up when they are done playing with a toy, than when they get distracted.
Help your child reach their full potential through joyful learning: https://www.leadkid.academy/
