Are your kids constantly making a mess in their room? If so, you’re not alone! The best course of action is to provide structure around cleaning their room, to help your kids get on-board. Here’s how:
1) Use photos to show what is acceptable
Conduct a quick internet search to find photos of a before and after room transformation, to show your child what’s expected of them in terms of cleanliness in your home. Visuals often help children, especially younger ones, understand what you’re looking for.
2) Determine a cleaning day
Schedule a day each week when your child is responsible for cleaning their room. Try to select a day where you too, are tidying various rooms in your home. This way your child feels like they’re doing their part to make the house look great. Cleaning also becomes a group activity, where the family works together, rather than a task that may be deemed as ‘punishment’.
3) Make the task fun
Create a fun ‘cleaning binder’ that includes your before and after photos of a clean room, a calendar to markoff your room-cleaning days and a step-by-step checklist on what tasks should be completed when cleaning their room. Have your children check off each cleaning task once it has been completed. Be sure to stock up on fun stickers as well, to congratulate them for a job well done! Positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage your children to keep things tidy.
4) Celebrate for on-going cleaning
Decide how you will reward your child for their on-going success of keeping their room tidy. Consider making them their favourite meal, having a movie night or getting to stay an extra 30 minutes at the park. Whatever you decide, keep it fun, so that they will continue to keep their room clean.
