Now that school is over (or soon to be over) that doesn’t mean that learning has to end. I’m certainly not one to dampen the joy of the summer vacation, but that doesn’t mean some good cleaning habits cannot be quietly taught during the summer. I thought I’d share some of my insight that I’ve gained over the years.
As we all know, children are quite good at making messes. But when it comes time to cleaning up, they’d rather be do something else, and who can really blame them. Yet there are constructive ways of getting them involved in cleaning up. Here are some suggestions:
- Set rules. After playing with a toy or game, it must returned to where it belongs before another item may be played with. To reinforce this behavior, you should be very encouraging when the child does so; and if not, and repeatedly not, one of the toys can be off limits for a certain period of time.
- Make cleaning fun. Kids are more likely to do a particular task if you can make it into a game: let’s see who can clean up the most toys the fastest. It’s often helpful to play a favorite song and challenge them to clean up before the song ends.
- Be positive. When you are cleaning around the house, try not to complain when doing so. Kids will be less likely to be encouraged (or convinced) when you ask them to clean up something. It is useful to follow the adage: whistle while you work.
- Give rewards, from the simple to the grand. After a job well done, why not give your child a hug? And after some large project, or after a month of good behavior, certainly ice cream is in order!
- Establish a routine. For example, clean-up time can be scheduled before meals or nap time or an outdoors activity (such as going to the park).
It is important to begin a solid foundation that teaches that life comes with responsibilities: when you make a mess, you must clean it up. By doing so a child will gain self-respect and confidence: a task can be solved, and solved well. This lesson can be reinforced as the child grows and is capable of more complex tasks: helping with the recyclables, or watering plants, or doing laundry.
I can’t say that we give private lessons, but all kids (and adults) are welcome to watch the professionals of A Votre Service! at work and, rest assured, we are very fond of ice cream.
Amitiés,
Jocelyne
