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The Clean-up Caddy: A Montessori approach to "care of the environment" in the home.
- Sep 2, 2010 at 10:42 AM
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- Comments (12) Total Views (697) Everyone can see this journal post.
Do your kids love to help clean up? Typically in the early childhood years starting around 18 months children love to emulate their parents in many ways including household tasks and chores. A fun way to get them involved is what I like to call the "clean-up caddy". The best time to get out the clean-up caddy is when you are doing your household chores. However, items like clean-up cloths should always be readily available for cleaning up spills. Depending on the parent and child I would also suggest having a small hand broom and dust pan available to clean-up any crumbs that may be spilled as well.This can be introduced around 33 months. Small brooms, mops and push sweepers are also a great addition to a child's clean-up caddy. The sweeper especially can be introduced at an early age as well at around 20 months. What is a clean-up caddy you ask? It's a great way to keep your child involved in household chores. Young children love to clean up, but parents and adults may be afraid that they may "make a mess" or just don't want to bother with teaching them the correct way to clean up or use a tool correctly. I am going to tell you now what are some other great items to put in your child's clean-up caddy. First the clean up cloths; these can be in the caddy or have them put elsewhere in the home that is accessible to the child. Cloth prefold diapers work well as they are very absorbent. Children will be able to clean up spills they make or wipe up any excess water from where they have sprayed. Next you need to have the small broom and dust pan for cleaning up crumbs or dry spills. A spray bottle, (possibly with a drop or 2 of dish soap) a sponge for cleaning multiple surfaces, and a squeegee for cleaning windows and mirrors. A small duster is the last item in the clean-up caddy. Even a very young child at age 18 months can use the duster to dust various surfaces. There is nothing cuter than to see a toddler pushing around a broom or meticulously dusting a shelf!
A busy child is a happy child, and a happy child has a Happy Mommy!
Comments:
I was thrilled to see your post. So many kids do nothing around the house. My parents felt that chores are what you do as a part of a family. Great posting. I hope all parents read this.
This is very similar to what we've got going on at our house. Our two and a half year old has been cleaning up her own spills since she started walking. I've been teaching her to mop and to scrub anytime she's awake and I'm doing it. She also puts her own toys and her own dishes away (and only really needs help from Mommy or Daddy to stay on task).
We want our daughters to grow up expecting that they are part of the process that keeps our family running. Nobody gets to sit by and let everyone else work, especially once they are able to pitch in (for now, we're all happy to let the newborn sleep!).
Thanks for the comments. I enjoyed reading them. Sorry about some of the typos. I got over excited and didn't read through it thoroughly I guess;)
It doesn't work for every kid. My son has always had access to these things and been expected to clean up but he still doesn't. If I made him a cleaning caddy he'd ignore it.
I use a similar approach with my children and it works well!
Good suggestions, and I am very sorry but I just have to say, the word you were trying to use is EMULATE, not immulate (although it does mean to imitate, so I understand the confusion...). And yes, I won the Spelling Bee Contest in my town in Grade 4, my crowning achievement in life....:)
thank you. yes. Emulate. I didn't bother running the spell check.
I do not care about your spelling. :) I think we get the point.
Great little tips. My kids loved to clean up, sweep, spray the spray bottles (we used safe cleaners)..now they all have their own easy chores too, like empty the trash cans, water plants, feed the cat. (they even wash the dishes!) Really makes them feel good about themselves when they are done...independent..big kids.
I love this idea and am going to try it!
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Montessori children LOVE to clean things up! Ah, practical life. I miss having my daughter in Montessori!
- evwsquared
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