A very common question I get from parents is, “How do I help my child learn to clean up their toys?” I have put together some tips to help create an environment where your child naturally cleans up after themselves. This is called finishing the cycle of activity. The cycle consists of choosing an activity, setting it up on the floor or a table to play with or work on, then cleaning up and putting the activity away where it belongs.
First, Then Statements
Using language that is clear and concise to set a limit with your child will help in their understanding that something needs to be put away before choosing something new. An example, “First, clean up the blocks then, you can work with clay.” Some children might need it to be further simplified, “First, clean up blocks then, clay.” You can repeat this statement to your child before helping them to clean up. You can also reassure them that you will be cleaning up together. It’s important to follow through with the limit we are setting so they understand that it is firm and not flexible. We should be consistent with this limit so they learn the expectation and build trust in the environment.
Collaboration and Modeling
Cleaning up on their own might be a lot to take on for a young child. We should collaborate by allowing the child to do what they can and helping with anything that might be challenging for them. With practice and consistency, they will become more independent in cleaning up. For children to be independent, we should make sure that baskets and containers are not too heavy or big for them to carry and that shelves or drawers are accessible to them. Modeling how to clean up and put toys away is also helpful. If they can observe adults cleaning up, they will learn that this is an expectation of the environment. With consistency, they will absorb that into their routines as well.
Setting the Example
If we want to set this expectation for children to clean up after an activity, we should observe our own cycles of activity and what we are modeling. For example, do we put our dishes away in the sink or dishwasher when we finish eating? Do we sweep up any spills we make? Organization can be helpful in setting this expectation. If we have a place for everything and keep everything in its place, it makes it easier to know where to put things away and how to clean up.
With consistency, firm limits, and modeling, we can help children independently finish the cycle of activity. As long as we are consistent, we can trust that children will learn the expectations we set. We should keep in mind that children will do what the environment allows and are observing how we perform routines.