How to Get Your Kids to Clean Up
(Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase – Click here to learn more.)
Are you tired of constantly cleaning up after your little ones? We all know how chaotic things can get when kids start playing – toys everywhere, crumbs on the floor, etc. But don’t worry; and there are some fun and effective ways to encourage and teach your children to clean up after themselves. Let’s dive into some tips on how to get your kids to clean up, shall we?
Nature and Nurtured to Be Neat
All Children are Different
Every child has a level of neatness. My daughter, for instance, has a particular fondness for tidying and cleaning. She enjoys having a tidy room and becomes distressed whenever it becomes messy, especially when her younger brother is involved. My son, on the other hand, is quite different. Although he does notify us when he has dirt on his shirt and needs to clean up, he is not fond of cleaning. When I inform him that there are too many toys on the floor and that he may lose them if he does not pick them up, he typically replies, “Maakt niet uit,” which means “It’s OK, it’s alright” in Dutch.
The Importance of Early Nurturing Care of Cleanliness
Every child is unique, and it’s unfair to expect my daughter to always clean up while my son makes another mess. Studies show that nurturing care for children during pregnancy is essential for their developmental growth. Moreover, maintaining cleanliness and tidiness is also crucial for your children’s physical and mental well-being.
When my children were just weaned, I let them use their hands to eat and experience food. I encouraged them to explore their food by using their hands. However, after they finished eating, I would clean their hands and wipe their mouths. As a result, my children learned to be tidy eaters.
On the other hand, as an organized person, I didn’t have the patience to let my children clean up their messy playroom. Instead, I would immediately tidy up and organize everything once they were finished playing. This led to my children expecting me to clean up after them. I realize this is unfair, but it was how I taught them that when they play, Mommy cleans up.
The children do not have to be born neat. They can learn and be nurtured to be neat and tidy, depending on how you teach them. So, now let’s discuss how to get your kids to clean up.
6 Tips on How to Get Your Kids Clean Up
The most effective and long-lasting way to get your kids cleaned up is to tidy up and clean their habits. Here, I have six tips that you can apply immediately at home!
1. Pre-instruct your children
Do you understand the significance of pre-instruction? It means that you are giving your children instructions ahead of time, which makes them more likely to follow through with them.
For instance, I pre-instruct my children to turn off the TV after watching one TV show episode. If you fail to pre-instruct them that they will only be watching one episode and then need to turn off the TV, your children may become upset and want to watch more. However, if you establish the rule that after one episode, they need to turn off the TV, it gives them a sense of control (as they turn off the TV by themselves), and they will more willingly follow your instructions.
This principle can be applied in all areas. Before your children play, you can pre-instruct them to clean up, which increases the likelihood that they will follow your instructions.
2. Make cleaning fun
I know what you think. TV is a robust compensation for children; they would do anything to watch it. That may be the reason my children stick to the pre-instruction. Well, there is an additional way you can get your kids to clean up.
I have discovered a fun and effective way to clean with my children. Since my daughter is competitive, I often challenge her to a timed cleaning race using a sand timer. She enjoys the challenge and cleans quickly to finish before the timer runs out.
3. Reward and encourage children after cleaning
My son, on the other hand, prefers receiving rewards. Initially, I rewarded him with gummy vitamins, but after researching, I realized that using food as a reward could lead to unhealthy eating habits. Instead, I created a sticker chart for him. Whenever he completes a thorough cleaning, he earns a sticker. You can download the sticker template (for my son and my daughter) and purchase stickers to use them.
A crucial aspect of developing cleaning habits in children is motivating and applauding them while ensuring they feel a sense of satisfaction in their actions. This boosts their morale and helps them perceive cleaning as a joyous task. With consistent encouragement, they may even begin to assist in other household chores, such as in the kitchen.
4. Read a book about cleaning and the importance of cleaning
Children are like sponges. They absorb everything, and they learn as you teach them. When you tell them a story about how important cleaning is and why they need to tidy up and clean up after playing, they will learn and listen to you. The best way to engage them is by showing them a short TV show or reading a book about it.
Video recommendation:
YouTube video about the importance of cleaning our room
Books recommendation:
The Berenstain Bears and the Messy Room:
This Berenstain Bears story teaches children about tidying up, organizing, and caring for their belongings.
Learning Independence and Confidence Through Tidying Up.
A Story about the Importance of Tidying up for Kids Ages 2-8
5. Buy fun and easy cleaning tools for your kids
Do you feel motivated to clean when you get a new cleaning tool? The same can be true for your little ones. You can give them a cleaning tool that is fun and playful while still encouraging them to help out. For example, I bought my children a cute mini broom and dustpan. I didn’t want to give them serious tools that might intimidate them or make them feel like they had to do a deep clean, as the idea is to encourage my children to be more independently engaged in cleaning up. Therefore, I recommend you buy a cute, accessible, and easy tool for your child. Giving them a fun tool makes them feel more engaged and excited to help with cleaning tasks. They even feel a sense of ownership over their new tool.
6. Make cleaning as a fun family activity
Cleaning can be made into a fun game and can also be a great way to spend time with your children on the weekends. For instance, I like to clean the kitchen and make delicious cookies and cakes with my daughter. She helps me clean the oven (or just sits next to me and points out what needs cleaning), and we bake cookies together afterward as a fun activity. Meanwhile, my husband and son care for the garden by mowing the grass, cleaning the leaves, and playing together. Although the children may only do a little work, they are learning the importance of cleaning and how it makes things better. Studies have shown that children learn from their parent’s behavior. So, including them in cleaning is essential to teach and encourage them to understand the significance of cleaning.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Your Kids to Clean Up
Teaching your kids how to clean up isn’t just about tidying the house. It’s also essential for their mental well-being and creating a peaceful environment. As a parent, it’s essential to lead by example and show your kiddos how to take care of their living space. When you involve them in the process, they learn valuable lessons, and you get to spend quality time together. Plus, once you establish a regular cleaning routine, your little ones will develop a healthy habit of cleanliness.
Share your story and learn more about cleaning tips!
Do you have a success story about encouraging your children to clean up? Share it with us! And if you’re a busy mom looking for tips on how to set up a cleaning schedule that works for you, click here to learn more.
