A home with small children is unlikely to be in perfect order. But teaching a child to clean up scattered toys and clothes, keep cleanliness and help around the house is quite realistic.
Expert Razukhina Elena Vladimirovna, Educational Psychologist at the Aristotle Educational Center
Rule 1: Start Early
Don't be afraid to ask the baby for help, give more responsible assignments. Already at 2-3 years old, children wake up with a desire to help their parents put things away, wash dishes, and vacuum the room. Of course, while the baby is clumsily managing the task, it can spill water, drop something. The main thing at this moment is not to make the most common mistake: “Oh, come on, I'm better on my own! You'll just mess everything up!" And now the child already remembers that the mother can do everything herself, and she does not need his help. So we will come to the opposite result: the child will not only not offer his help, but the mess will become commonplace for him. Do not be afraid that your son or daughter will get dirty, or something will break or spill, or putting things in order will take several hours. Gradually, children will definitely learn to independently and efficiently restore order. After all, they also learned to walk not immediately, but gradually, training every day.
Rule 2: Be patient
When a joyful kid at breakfast throws porridge in all directions, one spoon - in his mouth, two - a toy, three - on the table - is it worth scolding him? What for? This will only cause another fit of tantrum, the mood will be spoiled, the child will remain hungry.
Let the child get dirty, drop a few spoons, feed the dolls and mom, even turn the plate over a couple of times. Calmness, the main thing - calmness! After all, even this situation can be used for good. Ask your daughter to teach the Masha doll to hold a spoon correctly, to tell the bear how not to behave at the table. Does your daughter want to feed you? Wonderful. Thank her, she shares with her mother, takes care of her. Take the second plate: “And I will share it with you,” and the child is satisfied, and the goal is achieved. The more often we create conditions for the development of independence for the child, the faster he learns everything.
Rule 3: Everything has its place
The bear is "sleeping" under the bed, the frog is "hiding" under the blanket, the pencils are scattered, and the dolls are generally defile all over the room. How can we keep order here … When our child is still small, he has a lot of things to do without it, and they certainly have nothing to do with the return of their “friends” to their places, and the kid sincerely cannot understand why mom and dad are like that get upset and swear.
In this situation, parents will have to take matters into their own hands and solve the problem. For example, you can buy or make a beautiful box - a house for toys, where dolls, bears, balls will return to rest after games. Act out the situation: host a “tea party” for your toy friends and discuss what time they need to be in their seats. "The toys are tired, they really want to rest, we will help them get home." The child will be happy to help his friends.
Rule 4: Apple from apple tree
Dad, after returning from work, throws socks on the floor, and mom hasn't washed the dishes since morning. Or vice versa. Here dad stumbled over a typewriter left in the middle of the room from the evening: “Well, how much can you repeat! Why don't you put the toys away?!"
Before you demand something from the baby, you need to start with yourself. Are we behaving correctly? Our children proudly repeat not only our words, but also our behavior. We will not be able to prove to our child the benefits of neatness if we ourselves leave an unmade bed or dishes on the table after dinner. You are a role model, so forget the phrase “I’ll take it away later,” otherwise the child will quickly adopt it.
Rule 5: Praise more often
The child put away all the toys, helped mom to sweep the floor, and dad to sort out the papers. He proudly walks around the room in anticipation of praise, but instead receives the next task. Not very good, right? Our little worker tries, helps, is proud of himself, this is what he expects from us. Be sure to say words of gratitude to the child, encourage him for small achievements. It is important for him to feel that we really like his behavior, that dad and mom are proud of him, they praise him. Then he will definitely try even harder tomorrow.