by the UKfamily team
Wouldn't it be lovely if your child was always neat and tidy, and cleared up after himself? Use these six strategies to make that dream a reality
Start early and small
When it comes to building good habits, starting early is important - and learning how to clean up is no different. 'Children should begin helping parents tidy up between 18 and 23 months,' says child psychologist Dr. Paul Donahue. So now is the time to start prompting and guiding them.
Be a role model
You are your child's primary role model. Kids constantly observe and learn from you, so display behaviour you want them to copy. Show them how you keep the house tidy, from clearing the table to putting back items after using them.
Mummy's (and daddy's!) little helper
Toddlers enjoy doing things with the whole family and they love to help. Use this to your advantage. When he spills something or makes a mess with toys, talk about the importance of making things nice and tidy again, and how to go about it. Use encouraging language and lots of praise.
A place for everything
Make sure you child knows where everything goes. Create a box or shelf system (feel a trip to Ikea coming on?) that stores toys in an organised way. Get him to buy into the idea by decorating each section with pictures or sticky labels.
The same applies to clothes. Encourage your child to put clean clothes away in the correct draw. Remember to teach him that dirty socks belong in the laundry bin, not on the floor. Who does he think he is - daddy?!
Make it fun
Adding music or other fun elements to tidy-up time not only lightens the mood but teaches kids that clearing up is integral to playing. And not something that is left to the grownups.
Don't take no for an answer
By the age of three or four, your child should be capable of clearing up after himself.
If he says no, Dr. Donahue recommends linking a privilege to good behaviour. For example, 'clean up and then you can go to the park/watch TV/play on the computer'.
