Clean Up Helper
Here's What To Do
1
Encourage your child to help with simple tidying tasks. Examples:
- Putting dirty clothes in the hamper
- Placing toys in storage bins
- Dropping trash/recycling in the cans
- Putting shoes or jackets where they belong
2
Celebrate your child when they put an item in the correct place. Tell your child they're a great helper.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Give your child a big hug.
E
Engage:
- "Can you be a big helper for Papa? Can you take your socks and put them in the hamper?"
- "Can you look for all the blocks on the floor and put them in this basket? That would help Mama so much."
E
Encourage:
- Help your child learn how to clean up by showing them exactly what item they should pick up, and exactly where they should put it.
- It's common for children this age to take something out of a bin as soon as they put it in. Gently correct them, like: "No silly, we're putting things away, not taking them out. Can you please put that block back in the box?"
R
Reflect:
- Thank your child for being such a good helper and tell them how they are helping to take care of their things and space.
Not quite ready?
Even if your child isn't really "helping," you're still modeling what they are supposed to be doing. They will understand how to put things away eventually!
Ready for more?
See if your child is able to put items away more independently.
As your child masters this skill...
They will know that one way to care for their things and space is to put items away where they belong.