Anybody have any tips how to get a 3 year old in the habit of putting up their toys?

Question

Thanks

Don't take the monkey seriously he's just a wise guy. A stinkin blast in another catagory when you want to monkey around!!!

Answer 1

I always used M&M's. For every toy they picked up, they got an M&M. Worked great until they were 4-5 and they threw all of their lego's in the floor LOL. I also used it to teach them their colors. Step 1. Have the kid pick up a toy.
Step 2. Hold up an M&M and ask them what color it is
Step 3. If it's correct, give it to them, if not then have them pick up another toy and try again with the same M&M. It actually does work for a while.

Answer 2

I use to allow only 3 toys at a time from the toy box for my 3 boys (1 toy per child) when they were ages 2,3 and 4 years old. If they wanted a different toy, they had to put one away before they could pull out another toy. Then if they left the room they were playing in, the first thing I would ask was... "did you put your toys away". If the answer was no, then they had to march back and put the toys away before leaving the room. Even if that meant for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. They were assured the toys weren't going any where so they would still be there when they wanted to pick up on that toy at play time again. I had to be persistent because we were living in a small apartment back then. So there was no room for clutter. This worked well for us.

Answer 3

First of all, don't get irritated with them. They'll know you're ticked and they won't respond well. Remember that you are dealing with a child, someone with a short attention span and not a very good memory.You can ask them every day and it might not happen. Kids are kids, so don't get discouraged if you can't get them to act like little adults. The part of our brains that comprehends consequence doesn't fully develop until we're 25 years old. Knowing that makes it easier.

Try this. Make it a game. Instead of asking them to do it, ask them how many toys they can pick up, or how quickly. "How many toys can you fit in the box?" Give them a reward. At least thank them for helping. "Would you like to help me?" works well too, once they get the in the swing of things. But like most people, kids will choose to NOT do chores if given the option, so instead of asking if they CAN clean up, ask them how they would like to clean up, or which chore they would like to do first.

Once they get a little older, say 4 or 5, their main goal in life in to please adults, as hard as it is to believe, so it'll get easier.

Answer 4

I have a 3 year old and a 23 month old and haven't really ever had any problems with them putting up their stuff. But maybe that is because when it's "clean up time" I'm always on their backs pestering them to clean up, not PLAY with the toys, but put them away in a timely fashion.

Answer 5

I have a 2.5 yr old...and sometimes we still struggle. But the best advice I can give you is make it fun. We make it a game, who can do it the fastest...or do you know where this piece goes?..things like that. It sounds corny, but we also sing a song, by Laurie Berkner, called Put It Away (I think), about cleaning. Our son really enjoys the song, and it makes cleaning more of a game than a chore.

Good luck and happy cleaning.

Answer 6

positive reinforcement. If a child completes a task and is rewarded for it, they learn that good actions mean good consequences. make it fun. help them do it the first couple of times and just have fun with it. Like turn the toybox into a basketball hoop and turn the toys into basketballs throw the toys into the box. Theres a bunch of ways to make it fun. Hope it works for ya! Good luck.

Answer 7

okay find a time that you want the toys picked up like before bed time and then reward her like an extra story before bed or everyday they pick up toys they get a penny to put in the piggy bank or dessert after lunch/dinner.and don`t forget to praise them for a job well done.

Answer 8

Play with one toy at a time ,he wont get another till he puts up the first one .
Good Luck and be patient .

Answer 9

3 yr old are mighty young for habits, but if you create a game of picking up then he will enjoy playing the game much more than trying to create a chore for him to do.
singing or playing a special tune while doing the picking up will be a key for this game.

Answer 10

Does this little one spend any time in a day care? If so, then they are used to putting toys away!
Its training or habit. Set it as part of your daily routine do it with them or offer a treat, or some kind of reward if they do it by themselves!