How To Get Kids To Clean

How To Get Kids To Clean

This blog will tell you the best way on how to get kids to clean.Getting your kids excited to clean is always a hassle! I’m sharing with you what has been successful with my kids.

The best piece of advice is to be specific! A messy room can feel overwhelming and it can take years to build the skill to clean it. As parents we often forget just how difficult it is for our kids to have a cleaning strategy to tackle their room. There’s some truth to when they say “I can’t do it!” We need to be more specific than “go clean your room.”

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:

Option #1

Grab index cards and write down one item in each card that is commonly on your child’s floor (toys, shoes, crayons..). Download FREE cleaning card templates here. Breaking down the cleaning process makes it more manageable for your child and will give them confidence that they can do it! Our card list includes: Shoes, paper, crayons, clothes, toys, bonnets, shower caps, blankets, stuffed animals, make bed, trash, 1 minute break, 3 minute break, 30 seconds break.

Adding “break” cards is like a mini treat for your child. Any breaks longer than three minutes will make your child realize they are getting tired and will just make the process longer. You don’t want to lose their attention!

Once you’ve written down each item, you should have a stack of index cards ready for your child to pick! Place the cards face down so it feels like a game. If your child can not yet read, draw a picture of the item next to the word.

Ask your child “How much time do you need to complete this task? 2 minutes? Or 5 minutes?”  This gives them autonomy and buy in. It also gives them a better understanding of time management.

Cleaning Cards FREE PDF DOWNLOAD

WHAT TO DO INSTEAD:

Option #2

Kids thrive on structure and visuals. Create a visual schedule that shows who is doing what and when. (Seen below) We have a whiteboard at home but a paper will also work! Download printable here.

DOWNLOAD FREE CLEANING SCHEDULE TEMPLATE

Have your kids check off when they complete a task! I sometimes have my kids help me fill in the schedule. This way their voice is heard and they feel they have some control with their decisions. Including yourself and partner drives home the message that this is a team effort. Your kids will be more likely to contribute when they realize this is what everyone is doing.

Each chore = one item from dollar tree! After chores are done, you take a quick trip to the store to redeem the prizes and the rest of the day is theirs to do whatever they want because you have a clean house!

Add bonus chores for the chance to win more prizes from the store (seen below)

Our family example:

This post was about how to get kids to clean.
DOWNLOAD FREE CLEANING SCHEDULE TEMPLATE

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