How to Encourage a Toddler to Help Clean His or Her Room

Toys to the left of you, toys to the right - pull yourself out of the mess by teaching your toddler to help.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bookcases
• Plastic Storage Drawers
• Toy Chests

1. Announce to your toddler that it's time to clean up toys. Have a specific place to put the toys - either a plastic tub or a toy box. Place it in the middle of the room you are cleaning.

2. Say "Look at this mess. I wonder who will help me?" as you are setting the container down. Make similar comments or sing a cleanup song until you gain your child's attention. Use a happy tone of voice and make positive comments about cleaning the mess.

3. Pick up some toys on the floor and place them in the container. Continue with positive coaxing or singing.

4. Ask your child to (please) pick up a specific toy as you pick up more toys. Thank your child when he or she places the toy in your hand or in the container.

5. Prepare a consequence for not helping. A timeout or the withholding of a treasured item or activity are common negative consequences.

6. Warn your child only once of the consequence and how long it will last if your child will not help. Follow through with the consequence if your child does not help.

7. Continue picking up toys following the above steps until all of the toys are picked up.

Tips & Warnings

• Model the behavior you want your children to exhibit by picking up your personal items and putting them away. Even make comments out loud about putting your things away.
• Try making a game out of cleanup or offer a reward such as going outside or painting.
• Remain neutral in tone of voice and posture when following through with a consequence. Children can read frustration and anger and sometimes act negatively because of it.
• You may have to change consequences periodically if they fail to be effective.
• Consult a professional family doctor if you experience extreme frustration or anger when disciplining your child.

[baticua]

on 7/20/2009 I told my boys that whatever is on the floor will be thrown into the trash. There rooms are pretty clean now!

on 11/22/2005 My sons are 2 and 4. We race to see who can put the toys away the fastest. They enjoy beating mom at this race.

on 11/22/2005 Zero in on a category of toy that is out every day. Pick up that toy with them (like "trains") before bed. Soon, they will notice if trains aren't picked up before bed. Now, introduce a second toy (like books, or blocks), and so on.