Cleaning with kids can be extremely fun, or it can turn into a disaster only if you let it go out of hand. It all depends on your parenting style and how well you control the situation. We’ve collected a few ideas on how to involve children in house cleaning chores with all dos and don’ts that can simplify the entire process for you as a parent and your children.
Why is it important to engage your kids in house cleaning chores?
One of the topics that parents, teachers, and psychologists continue to debate the most is whether or not to assign children household responsibilities. One of the most crucial things is for parents to consider the child’s age when giving a chore and come up with a good plan of how to go about it. After all, keeping a house clean with kids is easier if you make the kids aware of the fact that they can contribute and take responsibility at an early age.
Lead by example
The Chinese saying “Tell me and I forget, teach me, and I might remember, engage me and I learn” may be familiar to you.
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is expecting their kids to be able to do specific household tasks, either because they are straightforward or because they believe their kids have seen them do it. Particularly when they have a new task to perform, you must get to work with them and mentor them. Even though picking up the toys could seem like the most straightforward duty, it will be difficult for your child if they don’t know where to put them. With the children, begin the work. Containers of various colors come in handy since you may show the youngster where each color belongs before letting him complete it independently.
The personal example is one of the best methods to encourage the kid to help clean the house.
Give them responsibilities they can handle
You can assign some simple home responsibilities even to a 2-year-old. Even a toddler can dust the coffee table in the living room and put their clothes away and paper napkins in the garbage. We’ll say it again: Be reasonable in your expectations. It serves no use to concentrate on how spotless the table or the clothes are folded. The purpose is to instill responsibility in the child. Some examples of simple house chores that older kids can do is: setting the table for lunch or supper, washing the dishes, taking the trash out, etc.
Divide large tasks into smaller ones
A child’s perception of cleanliness may be different from yours since it is somewhat abstract. For instance, after telling him to tidy the space, he heaped everything in a corner. Therefore, it is preferable to assign the kid particular chores and directives, such as washing the dirty dishes, then putting the toys where they belong, etc. Even during the process of relocation, your kids can be your great ally and help with packing and unpacking. According to Best Long Distance Movers breaking down demanding tasks into smaller chunks offers great benefits for the kids: they more easily understand where to begin and what is expected of them as a result.
Explain the process
Sometimes, you’ll need to provide a step-by-step explanation of even the simplest of tasks, like picking up the toys.
You must provide detailed, step-by-step instructions while teaching a very young child how to handle duties. Simply stating, “You need to tidy your room,” leaves a lot of space for interpretation. Even if what has to be done may seem quite plain to you, a small kid may find it difficult to understand. You should explicitly put out the list of jobs rather than assigning generalized responsibilities. For instance, “Make your bed,” “Collect all of your toys off the floor and put them in the box,” “Take your t-shirt and jeans and put them in the laundry basket,” etc.
Include the entire family
Assigning simple and straightforward tasks that must be done each day is the most efficient way to get kids involved in cleaning. Together with the kids, make a list of the tasks that must be completed. Let them help you and provide suggestions for who should do what. Children need to understand that each family member is responsible for their own duties, subject to their individual capacities, of course. Also, they need to understand that regular cleaning of a house is of great importance. When assigning chores, just make sure that they are age-appropriate.
Children feel like a part of the team when the entire family works together at home, which motivates them to help with cleaning. Don’t hesitate to involve your children in the moving activities, as well. Children like to feel included and that their presence and actions matter. You can easily find some tips to help you settle in your new home in California, and some of them mention how your relocation can be turned into a family-bonding experience.
Good organization is key
A fantastic way to put house cleaning chores in an organized system is by using a calendar or a task schedule. You may set up a routine for duties with the kids, such as making the bed, putting away toys, cleaning, sweeping the floor, and watering plants. The kid will mark off the job that is finished. The timetable will prompt him to do any tasks that he has skipped or forgotten.
Ensure that you assign the children’s duties at a time that is convenient for them. While some kids prefer to complete their homework in the afternoon, others prefer to do it directly after school.
Include children in house cleaning chores in a safe way
A youngster should not have access to sharp objects, hot plates, a stove, or other household items. Place household cleaners and detergents in locations out of the reach of young children. Also, make sure that you use safe and natural cleaning products, especially if your kids are doing some chores using them. Keep in mind that only adults should handle some of the cleaning products and chores.
Make it fun and simple
Fun is the most important ingredient and key when you decide to involve children in house cleaning chores.
It’s crucial to start work in the right frame of mind. Always keep in mind that children look to their parents as role models initially. Try to begin cleaning in a cheerful and upbeat manner, play music, and provide the kids with fun “tools.” Use colorful aprons and gloves, as well as pieces of fabric in various colors for dusting. Consider what games to play while cleaning. For instance, dance with the mop, fling unneeded papers into the trash or throw stuffed animals into the hamper from a distance. Cleaning and organizing will eventually come to be associated with having fun and being in a good mood.
Final Thoughts on How to Involve Children in House Cleaning Chores
Cleaning with kids can be enjoyable. It’s all up to the parents! We hope you will find our little guide helpful when looking for ideas and ways to involve children in house cleaning chores. Just bear in mind three key things: Talk to your children, be there for them, and have faith in them. The kids will gain self-confidence, a greater sense of autonomy, and independence as a result, and over time, they will be more driven to take on domestic duties and complete them much more efficiently.
