As parents, we strive to teach our children valuable life skills, and one of the most important is taking responsibility for their own spaces. However, getting children to join in on cleaning time can sometimes be a challenging task. Questions like “How do I approach them?” or “What if they say no?” might cross your mind. But fear not! Involving your kids in regular house cleaning not only benefits them but also the entire household.
If you’re unsure where to begin, these six practical tips will help you teach your child to clean their room in a fun and engaging way.
Tip #1: Don’t impose the task
For many adults, cleaning is an unpleasant chore. Imagine how your child might feel when they’re in the middle of playtime and hear the words “you have to clean your room.” You’ll avoid temper tantrums by anticipating and preparing your kid for clean-up time instead of imposing it.
An excellent way to ease your kid into cleaning is by planning and scheduling cleaning activities in sensible slots after school and, with anticipation, telling them about the pending chores.
Tip #2: Start with an example
Kids will not be experts immediately, so it’s an excellent idea to set an example of how they must tackle chores. When you show them how the task is done, children are more likely to make an effort to mimic what you did. Brief explanations of what you’re doing reinforce the lesson.
Tip #3: Give age-appropriate chores
Depending on their age, children won’t have the same skill to clean the room efficiently. So keep in mind which chores are appropriate for your kids’ age when assigning the tasks.
For example, smaller kids can do simple tasks like tossing their food wrappers in the trash or making their beds. In contrast, older children can clean windows and sweep the floor in their room.
Tip #4: Explain instructions in detail
Your child is starting to do cleaning chores, so it’s essential to show them the ropes. Explaining step by step is way better than a dry instruction such as “clean your room.”
Once they understand the whole task, you can let them handle more complex tasks as they gather experience. You don’t want to overwork them.
Tip #5: Encourage their efforts
Whether you’re rooting from the sidelines or praising the work after it’s done, constant positive feedback is a perfect way to ensure future success on a particular task. It’s also an excellent self-esteem reinforcement and ensures your kid never feels alone.
Tip #6: Never lose patience
Overall, cleaning tasks are learning experiences where your child will discover the benefits of a clean space. If they don’t give you the expected results, let them take their time, and you’ll see improvement as long as you show them your support.
Know when family time comes first
At the end of your hard work, what’s left is for you to enjoy a healthier home. But letting someone else do the housework doesn’t hurt. And you don’t need to worry about who’s entering your home; our reliable cleaners at Maids In Pink can help you tackle cleaning chores and free up your time.