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Posted on November 1, 2007 by Ellie Dixon | Posted under Kids
Top Tips for Tidy Tots
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Let's be truthful, it's possible to clean up after a toddler the whole day long and still be faced with a mess in the evening. But think about this - isn't it much more practical to let mess fall where it will during the day and wait until bedtime before you start to pick up the pieces. That compromise will give your toddler important freedom in her play; she can decide between various games without worrying that they're going to be cleaned up behind her. Try to be flexible about clearing up. If your toddler's in the middle of constructing a brick city or setting up a teddy bear's tea party, then don't insist that he has to put all his toys away just because it's evening. Carefully move the work-in-progress out of everyone's way and allow him to continue where he left off in the morning. If he's finished the project, but isn't ready to take it apart it yet, then respect his desire to keep it all on show for a while. When it does come to tidying up time, remember you're the one who wants everywhere to be tidy - your toddler isn't that concerned. It's only fair that you take on some of the work. But make the cleaning up process a team effort. Try not to be overwhelmed by the mess, and tackle one room or area at a time. Breaking down an enormous task into small pieces makes it less daunting and frustrating for both of you. When your toddler's helping out, allocate her specific tasks individually, eg "Put Spot on the shelf, then put your cuddly puppy next to him" rather than "pick up all your stuffed toys and put them on the shelf. Try to make the cleaning up process fun - instead of snapping at your toddler - "Put your toys away now!" why not suggest "it's time for the cars to go back to the garage now?" Challenging your child to a contest that he can win is another way to make clearing up fun, eg "Let's see who can put the most crayons in the box by the time I count to ten!" Singing along to the work also makes it go more smoothly. You can also make tidying into a learning experience - try teaching colours by saying, "You put away all the red bricks, and I'll put away the green ones". Don't make work for yourselves - invest in some easy-to-reach child-friendly storage - low and open shelves, shallow bins and boxes, pegs that aren't unreachable. Avoid using one large toy box as toys will sink to the depths and get broken which will result in tears and frustration when your toddler can't find what she's looking for. Finally - don't insist that everywhere has to be perfect. If your toddler seems to thrive on mess and muddle (and most do!) don't insist she keeps her own room absolutely immaculate. Ensure the rest of the house meets your standards, but allow a little flexibility in her own area. And once the job is done, why not sit down with a good book from Scruffy's Bookshop - www.scruffysbookshop.com - the ideal place to find a great selection of kids e-books as instant downloads to read together after an exhausting session of clearing up! About The Author: Ellie Dixon lives in Devon, England. She adores vintage illustrated children's books and loves to restore and edit them for today's kids. She has recently put together a new online toolkit called "Kids of Character" to help you raise responsible, respectful kids in a fun way. sign up for her free monthly newsletter when you visit her website, Scruffy's Bookshop. |
Tags: TIDY KIDS ROOMS, GET KIDS TO TIDY, TODDER, CLEARING UP AFTER TODDLER, TOY STORAGE, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, TODDLERS AND MESS, TIDY TIPS FOR TODDLERS
