How do you get children to clean up after themselves?

Question

How do you get children to clean up after themselves?
Im looking for inventive ways to get the children to clean up after themselves or be inspired to organize their things. I would like to avoid having to make to many rules. How might i do this?

Answer 1

I concur. You begin by setting the example. Leadership by example. Then perhaps, you might consider paring down their possessions. If they leave something out, it gets taken away or thrown out. It may sound harsh, but eventually, they will get a clue. Lastly, stop picking up after them. Why should they clean up after themselves when they have you to do it for them?

Answer 2

You could make a rule that any toy that you have to pick up goes into a locked box for one week. Then when you want a place cleaned up, announce that you are going to do it in 15 minutes. If they get the idea then later if stuff is still being left around just clean up and put the items in the box. If you work into this right they will learn that they won't always know when you need to clean and will protect their toys by putting them away. If the same toy keeps getting left out you might have to increase its "sentence".

If this works for the rest of the house but their rooms are still a mess then your could raise the ante and apply it to their room.

This works best for things your children care about so it might not work for clothes as well as toys.

If children complain about not having something because you locked it up you could give them a chance to earn it back by doing a chore (depends on age.)

As an example I know of a parent who was tired of having to check the pockets of her children's clothes before washing them so she made a rule that she got to keep any money she found and she would return the toys and other treasures in exchange for chores or other favors.

Answer 3

My house is ALWAYS clean.. meaning I always clean after myself, and my 2 1/2 yr old, still doesn't like to put her toys away. Sometimes I will tell her if she picks up her toys, she can have a sweet snack, or go for a car ride, watch a certain movie she likes.. those are things she loves to do that I use to get her to take care of her toys. I don't know any creative ways. Sorry.

Answer 4

try to make it fun...have special and individual bins, baskets, containers or whatever so that toys and other things have their own places to go. Clearly mark each container with a picture of the items that belong there as well as the word. Children recognize pictures easily but will gradually associate the letters and words to the correct baskets. Good luck!

Answer 5

As a make sure we ought to make guidelines that we may be able to maintain on with. There desires to be consquencses for not doing and for doing it. With my childrens i found it best to jot down a plan and all signal it, then they could't say they by no potential heard you're saying that. How about a chart with stickers. Make a rule that in the journey that they p.c.. up their stuff they get a celebrity. commence them with 5 stars formerly they even commence. in the journey that they p.c.. up they get a celebrity,. in the journey that they don't p.c.. up they get a celebrity taken way. Then make up a advantages plan.....for instance7 stars on the end of the week they get to employ a DVD of their determination. decrease than 5 stars they lose privledge to play their vidio video games on Saturday. below 3 stars they could't play the vidio interest all weekend. in the journey that they get 7 plus stars for 4 weeks in a row they get to flow out for pizza and film with dad or mom....or another advantages. you should set the awards with thinking your income. you also won't be able to make the punishment so harsh that the completed kinfolk suffers. also you want to understand each and each and every toddler and what punishment works best for them. operating example my boys by no potential minded being despatched to their rooms, they loved the quiet time. yet, compared to them, my daughter being a people human being hated being despatched to her room. hence, the room ingredient worked nicely with them yet not with the boys. solid success

Answer 6

I agree with the person above me. Massive encouragement. And tremendous impressiveness. I've come to notice that when I ask my kiddies to do something in a mean tone of voice, they get scared and run away like they did something bad. But when I ask very nicely and sweet, they are all happy to do it and get recognized for their help.

Answer 7

Make it fun! Teach them what needs to be done or show them what needs to be done. Give lots of praise like "Wow, you did a Great job"! of "See how nice your things look", you know along those lines.... Kids just love praise and it helps with their self esteem, then when they start to do it on their own please be sure to notice and let them know they are doing a GREAT job!

Answer 8

You teach them by cleaning up after yourself.

Answer 9

you show them how to do it.. tell them what a big boy or girl they are, and tell them that u are soo proud of them. Walk them through it yourself.. they will get it.. just be patient! Good luck!

Answer 10

Just tell them to do it and that if they don't no TV, computer, or friends. They need to know who's in charge.