One thing that parents of young toddlers (and even some older ones!) are familiar with is picking up constantly. Kids tend to play with a lot of toys in a day, and their attention span leaves them moving from one game or toy to another. Unfortunately, their attention span also increases the chance that children will cast toys aside without putting them away to pick up another. At the end of the day, scattered toys can leave any home looking like a small hurricane hit.
There are ways to help your toddler learn to pick up, and it doesn't involve much effort on your part. Here are seven great ways to help your toddler clean up his or her toys after playtime is over:
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o Turn picking up into a game. One way is to make clean-up time a race, such as setting a timer and asking your child if he can pick up before the buzzer or bell goes off. Another is playing a favorite song reserved for picking up. The toys should be put away before the song is over.
o Give rewards. If a child does achieve the goal of picking up or even helps you out, use positive reinforcement and give your child a small reward for his efforts. Good things should happen to those who apply themselves, and that theory goes for toddlers too.
o Have lots of easy-access storage. Kids love bins and drawers where they can tuck stuff away out of site. Offer plenty of places for toys to be hidden from site, such as a rack holding bins or drawers or a toy box with a lid. If your child can't reach a storage spot (such as on top of a dresser) or can't open the door to a closet, it only increases the child's frustration at wanting to help and not being able to.
o Choose colorful bins and containers. An attractive storage arrangement encourages cleaning up. What's more, reserving certain colors of bins for specific types of toys increases the level of interest for your child. Sorting stuffed animals or dolls from coloring books and crayons is fun for toddlers, and they'll have everything in the same spot for the next play day.
o Make cleanup time a routine. Habit is a wonderful thing, and especially so with children. Toddlers enjoy predictability. If children become familiar with a certain event happening at a specific moment each day, such as cleaning up before sitting down for supper, they'll be more likely to cooperate.
o Use distraction. If your toddler isn't helping clean up, distract him from avoidance by attracting his attention to the task in a different way. Instead of pushing your child to pick up toys, exclaim over a toy and show interest. When your child comes over, look at the toy with him, spend a moment playing, and then ask if he or she can put the toy away for you. It may take a little longer to get the job done, but your child will appreciate the one-on-one attention and cleanup won't be a battle.
o Know when to give up. Some days, no amount of cajoling or encouragement is going to get your child involved with picking up. Maybe he or she isn't feeling well or is tired out. Learn to read your child for signs of needing a break, and give them a day off from the duty. You can pick up your routine of interactive cleanup tomorrow.
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