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Tips and Tricks for
Fostering Clean Up Behaviors
Parents often want
information on how to instill good behavioral habits when
it comes to a child learning to clean up after him or
herself. Here are some tips and tricks tried by
professionals and teachers, alike.
Tips for Fostering Clean-up Behaviors
Model positive clean-up
behaviors.
What are your clean-up behaviors like? Look in the mirror
first and work on those behaviors on which you could
improve. Your child watches and observes you more than
you might imagine. Do you put things back where you found
them? Are you a compulsive cleaner? How organized is
your work or play space.
If you have problems with
your clean-up behaviors, often your child will, too.
Children want and need to be treated fairly. They know
when a parent is not being a good role model. Perhaps one
of their greatest skills is the power of observation.
Think about it! They have been watching others to learn
appropriate behaviors throughout their whole development.
They learn what they watch. They absorb what they see and
they practice what you do, not what you preach.
Make clean up a regular
part of any routine.
Humans are creatures of habit. Children enjoy routines.
Make clean up activities a habitual part of any routine.
Whether it is preparing for dinner by washing hands,
brushing teeth before bedtime, or any number of cleaning
activities, make it a routine. Be a good role model and
brush your teeth at the same time or wash your hands,
too. You certainly can eat things later and brush again,
if necessary. Show the importance of taking care of
oneself and the home environment through action not
reaction.
Allow a reasonable amount
of clean-up time.
Too often, adult periods to complete a task differ from
the actual time required by a child to complete the task.
Four and five-year-olds are easily distracted. In the
process of clean up they may find another toy or issue
with which they will need to deal.
Allocate enough time for
the task. In a pre-school classroom, 10-15 minutes is
often the norm for clean up. This probably is a
sufficient amount of time in the home setting, as well.
Be sure to allow the appropriate amount of time, however,
and do not "guess". Older children can usually get things
together more quickly.
Warn a child in advance of
when clean-up time will begin.
Provide a signal. Timers work nicely with older
children. A song can serve as a great incentive for
younger children. "As soon as the song is over, we need
to be done cleaning up. Are you ready?" This avoids a
conflict for both parties. When appropriate, leave them
to their task. Be sure to check in occasionally to
monitor the progress with younger children. Do they need
a bit more time? If appropriate, you may wish to allow
another song or discuss further consequences if the task
is not completed.
Provide adequate shelving
and storage space.
Is it difficult for you to fit everything in the playroom
or workspace? Then, it is probably even more difficult
for a child. Does everything "fit" or does it only work
when put in a toy box or shelf a certain way? Children
enjoy independence, but can easily be frustrated if unable
to put toys or materials back in their appropriate spot or
"home". Some parents have seasonal toys and provide for
their re-circulation throughout out the year. This works
nice, especially in small homes or apartments where
additional storage is available.
Tricks for Fostering Clean-up Behaviors
Help with clean-up.
If the ultimate goal is to instill positive clean-up
behaviors in a child, does it necessarily mean she or he
must accomplish the task alone? A trick that can be used
to the teacher or parent's advantage is simply to provide
motivational assistance. "Would you like to put your toys
away now by yourself or would you like me to help you put
them away?" Ultimately, the goal of getting things put
away is accomplished either way. A secondary benefit is
also realized; the adult is modeling appropriate
behavior. Of course, assistance should not be expected
always, but it can be a nice bonding time for child and
adult, too. The day will come soon enough, when he or she
will not need assistance. Too often, adults grow to miss
that dependence.
Provide child-size
clean-up accessories.
This is a good lesson from the Montessori classroom.
Provide child-size sponges, buckets, brooms, and
dustpans. Adult size tools are just too large and
cumbersome. These are often easy to find at a local
variety store.
When the child has cleaned
a space, be sure to praise them. If you feel it may need
additional attention, try not to do it in front of the
child. Allow them to take pride in their accomplishment.
Laminate pictures of toys
or tools for young children.
If a child can not read or recognize words yet, laminate
pictures of toys or supplies and simply place them where
the original belongs. Velcro works well on shelves, but
can leave a residue when removed. Silly putty can work
well, when applied to the back of the laminated picture,
but again, check the surface. Will the glue or tacking
product leave a residue and cause damage?
Pictures will allow the
young child independence and success in the clean-up
process. It also is a beginning step toward recognizing
letters and symbols.
Provide a defined space.
If a room is not available for toy storage or play
materials, provide a defined space with a rug or
placemat. This is the child's work or place space. Toys
and materials should stay within this boundary. If they
do not, appropriate consequences may need to be
addressed. This is a great trick when room to wander is
small or parents are tired of toys being scattered
everywhere.
Keep in mind that whatever
you do to encourage a child's independence in cleaning up
after him or herself, make it fun. Endings, in many
instances, are just as importance as beginnings. Tasks
created as chores in the beginning, end up being just
that - chores. Take the time to work with your child on
instilling good clean-up behaviors today. You will be
glad you did.
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