Tip of the Week: Toy Clean-Up

It is my opinion that cleaning up their toys should be the children's responsibility pretty much from the time they develop their grasping motion! But seriously, the sooner they start having responsibilities, the more likely it becomes an ingrained, automatic expectation and it should start with their own things. I also believe that strong willed children will try many tricks to get away with not doing it and you have to nip that in the bud. (Believe me, I know strong-willed. If my boy has learned to clean up his toys, then anyone can!)

I recommend making up your own lighthearted "Clean-Up" song that you sing every time they pick up their toys. It creates a positive tone and as the chilidren get older they will go into automatic response when they hear/sing the song.

Another great way to instill this is to have some wonderful activity or snack coming and then let them know that it will happen as soon as the toys are put away. They will hop to it quickly, and then that becomes the standard they get used to. To be honest, I pretty much use any exciting activity as an opportuniy to get some responsibilities done first!

But when they first start, let there be no question that it is their job. If they don't clean up, their life only gets worse until they do. Any kid worth his salt will fight it at first, and by all means let them win if you want to be picking up after them when they are fifteen! Just remember, you are giving them the gift of a strong self-perception that says, "I can take care of my own things and I help the family."