Get children involved and make it a habit
Don’t feel overwhelmed when clutter takes over: instead, get your kids involved in managing it! Teaching organization is a key tool for development, and a skill that should last a lifetime.
Start early
Part of teaching organization is leading by example.
Start by cleaning your toddler’s room with him. When he goes to grab a toy you just put away, have him replace it. The hand him another toy, and encourage him to put it in its proper space. Reinforce it with words: “The teddy bear stays on this shelf when you aren’t using it,” or “We put the blanky back on the bed so it’s there for nap time.”
Children are easily distracted, and want to move from one activity to the other, from room to room. But you want them to know that when they tire of a toy or move on from a book, they need to put it away. It takes patience and persistence, but over time children will learn that cleaning up is a part of messing up.
The concept of clutter may elude your small child, but like potty training, teaching him to use silverware or even learning colors, consistent education will help him comprehend how it works.
Do it in a way they understand
Most moms find routines help them feel more in control and help their children feel more secure about what’s coming next in their day. It’s a concept kids grow to understand: for example, that a bath and story time mean that it’s bedtime.
Applying the same principle to organization is a key to success.
If all of the dolls go in one place, the coloring books go on the shelf, the toys in a basket in the corner of the room, and the shoes in the closet, your child will grow to understand the where. If cleanup time immediately follows morning playtime, or his afternoon nap, he’ll understand the when. The tricky part is the how!
Repeat, repeat, repeat
Patterns are easily memorable to young minds. If you say, “It’s time to clean up,” and your child knows what that means, you’re on your way to establishing a routine.
But being consistent is one of the great challenges of parenting. Between the pressures of the office, dealing with bills and getting the most out of free time, staying on top of household chores and keeping the home clutter-free can sometimes turn into an afterthought. Don’t let it.
As you teach your child the art of organization, taking a break from training can set him back in the learning process. It may seem like a lot of work now, but once your child understands his role in household organization, it will save a lot of future headaches.
Reinforce and reward
One of the great Supernanny tools is the reward chart. Mapping out goals — for example, “I put my toys away every day,” or “I made my bed when I woke up” — on a chart gives your child something to aim for. When he achieves his goals, a reward – anything from a small toy to a special outing – will help him make the connection that helping you helps him!
As children get older, these ‘chores’ should morph into habits. Hopefully the day will come when you can make out chore lists in the knowledge that your kids will do their parts in sticking to them. Eventually, the reward may become a daily or weekly allowance or a trip to the movies with a friend, but the habits you promoted with them as toddlers will continue to serve them as they get older.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Being overly strict Remember, your child is learning a new skill and the idea is to reward good behavior. He will falter at times, but this is part of the learning process.
- Overwhelming him Clean up time shouldn’t take up hours during the day, and it’s counterproductive to make it a dreadful experience. Set goals that are achievable and start small by breaking down bigger tasks into smaller ones: for example, instead of saying, “please tidy your room” say “please straighten out the books on your nightstand” or “please put your sneakers in the closet and hang up your backpack.” As he finishes each small task, move him onto the next.
- Failing to reward him Even when he does his chores without you asking, continue to recognize it as an achievement.