Step 1
Make it a game. "Rather than 'getting' kids to clean their room, which is the parents' agenda, parents can work with their kids to find out what is important to the kids," notes Nancy S. Buck, Ph.D., author of "Peaceful Parenting." What's important to kids? "Playing and having fun," Buck says.
Step 2
Sing your commands. For younger children, getting them to clean up may be as simple as singing. Rather than a stern demand, which may result in push-back from that independence-seeking toddler, make it a light-hearted song. One to try: "Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up. Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere. Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up. Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share." Make up your own tune and have your kids sing along.
See also: Tips on Teaching Kids Times Tables
Step 3
Count toys. For younger children who are learning to count, give them a goal of 10 toys or clothes items to pick up and put away. Give them a reward (special Mommy-time, a favorite TV show or a lollipop, for example) for reaching their goal.
Step 4
Time the cleanup. "With older children, you can ask them to time themselves," Buck suggests. "Then see if they can beat their previous time for the next round of cleaning." Nothing like a little competition. Keep a chart and offer incentive (a movie outing with friends, for example) if your child beats her own time.
See also: Earth Science Activities for Kids
Step 5
Make cleanup easy. A little organization goes a long way to quick cleanups. Simple plastic bins can either be general catchalls that hide any toys away or specifically labeled for type of toy (for example, trains, musical instruments or dress-up clothes). Bins can be labeled with pictures for young kids or the words for older kids, so they know exactly what goes where.
Step 6
Encourage a continually clean room. After your kid's room is clean, take a picture of it, print the picture and tape it to the outside of the door.
See also: Environmental Education for Kids
How to Get Kids to Clean Their Own Room originally published on Modernmom.com
About the author: Elisa Drake has been a writer and editor for more than 15 years. Aside from planning her own Chicago nuptials, she has written about weddings for Brides magazine and has covered other diverse topics for a variety of local and national publications, including Self, Ladies' Home Journal and TimeOut. Elisa has a graduate degree in journalism and currently balances her role as mom
Read the original post at http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/how-to-get-kids-to-clean-their-own-room-981576/
