Get them to Tidy up?

Jane - posted on 01/29/2011

First, make sure that she doesn't have too much to manage. Then, be sure that she has easy ways to put things away...blocks in bucket A, dolls in bucket B, books in bucket C. ( You get the idea.) Then work with her..Say I will put books away while you put all the blocks away etc. Sing a little song if that works for her, or play music and say lets see if we can finish before the song ends,,,, if she doesn't participate, say "I think you have too many toys. I will clean it up this time. Get a garbage bag and put everything on the floor in it. Put it in your closet or an attic. If she asks for a certain toy, tell her that if she can keep her area tidy for one hour, you will get it for her. If she does not ask for the toys she has too much and is overwhelmed. Keep the bag in the attic and trade out those toys with other toys as you see the mess returning...it usually indicates the child is bored.
Less is more with a young child.

Carol - posted on 01/28/2011

Young children will perform better if you break the task down into smaller increments. Rather than telling her to pick up her toys or clean her room, simply point to a toy and ask her if she can put that toy in the toy box. When she does it, tell her what a good job she did. It's time consuming at first, but some children need this. For other chores, ask her if she would like to help mommy.

Heather - posted on 01/26/2011

FlyLady (www.flylady.net) and House Fairy (www.housefairy.org) have great ideas about how to help kids learn to tidy up after themselves. FL's special tool is ourselves! Our kids will learn what they see. :)

Kat - posted on 01/24/2010

Thanks Shelley, sounds like fun!! That's what i have been doing as otherwise she wont do it.. Potty training is actually worse!!! refusing to go the poo in the potty/toilet went through five sets of clothes yesterday but im sticking with it, not giving in, she is aking for a nappy on to do poo....

Shelley - posted on 01/23/2010

My son is 3 and he will only tidy up if you help him, I think he sees it as a spending time together. We had problem with him tidying up and now we do it as part of the routine about an hour before bed, you can also sing a song - i have heard Barney sing a tidy up song or you could just make up some silly words. He isn't perfect but sometimes he is asking me now whether it is tidy up time!

Kat - posted on 01/21/2010

Thanks Lara, generally she will help with putting washing in the machine etc it mainly her own mess she doesn't like tidying .... :-)

Lara - posted on 01/21/2010

make it a contest and give her a small reward for doing so. my little one has always herlped from 18mnths she has helped with hanging up washing and washing dishes now i dont even have to ask she jumps to help as soon as i start.