Best Ways To Motivate Your Kids To Clean

Parents understand the frustration of expecting their children to clean up after themselves. Understanding various strategies for encouraging your family to tidy up around the house can be valuable. Continue reading to discover some of the best ways to motivate your kids to clean.

Lead by Example

You must remember that children often don’t have the same frame of reference you do when you ask them to perform a task. When you ask them to clean up, you should start by showing them what you expect of them. You can try to clean an area of a room slowly, turn, then have them follow you by doing the same thing.

Don’t Overwhelm Them

You may have big plans for a full day of spring cleaning, but you can quickly overwhelm and confuse children if you give multiple tasks simultaneously. Focus on one activity you expect them to do at a time. Keep their age and what they’re capable of doing in mind when you assign them a role, and consistently praise their actions after they accomplish it.

Turn It Into a Game

Let’s be honest; cleaning up isn’t much fun for adults either. However, if you publicly express your dislike for tidying up, your children will do the same. Instead, make housecleaning a game by devising a point system and prizes to provide positive reinforcement.

Create Go-To Spots When It’s Time To Clean

If children do not have designated areas to drop off toys and other belongings, they may get frustrated and unsure of what to do when requested to return objects. Organize their bedrooms to minimize messes and maximize functionality. Have specific spots where kids know they can go and put things back when they finish with them.

The next time you’re having trouble getting the family to pick up, know that you can turn to some of the best ways to motivate your kids to clean to help you out in a pinch. Making the switch to a more positive mindset about cleaning can be challenging at first, but the more you work at it, the easier it gets.