I would never wish away time, wanting my kids to get bigger...but since I don't have a choice in the matter, I am embracing some of the tasks they can independently perform at 2.5 and 4.5 years old! Tasks that not only help me out but also teach them to clean up after themselves.
Shoes!! Between the 4 of us we have over 100 pair of shoes floating about. We don't wear shoes in the house and I didn't want a pile of shoes in front of our door. I bought each child a shoe rack for their closet and they learned that once their shoes come off, they must be taken to their closet and put on their rack. Having the racks help the shoes get exactly where they need to be and keeps them off the floor.
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| I did straighten them up for the photo! |
Laundry is a never ending task at our house. Each kid has their own laundry basket from Land of Nod that all dirty clothes get thrown in. On laundry day, each kid is responsible for bringing their basket to the laundry room and then returning it to their closet once it has been emptied. These baskets have proven indestructible thus far and come in cute colors! The material is light enough that the 2.5 year old can pull hers through the house without assistance. *Sidenote: When they are empty the kids pretend they are cat house and "live" in them.
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| Hers and his closet hampers |
As clean clothes are coming out of the laundry the 4.5 year old can put away all of his clothes in the correct drawer. He isn't tall enough to reach the hanging items in his closet, so I still take care of those. The 2.5 year old can barely reach any drawers, which is why she has an empty bottom dresser drawer. As I give Lila her clean and folded clothing, she takes them to her room and puts them in the empty bottom drawer. Later I will go in her room and pull everything out of the bottom drawer and put it in the correct spot. Having her assist is teaching her the importance of helping and responsibility for her belongings. It helps me get everything to her room in one location and putting them away takes very little time.
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| The easy to reach empty drawer |
Having kids means having toys and books. Both kids have several canvas bins that toys are stowed in. We had originally purchased bins from Land of Nod, however they have a thin support rod on each corner. The rod easily breaks if bent causing a deformed bin. I then purchased bins at Target that are a stiffer fabric and do not contain the rods. These are holding up much better. Both kids are responsible for picking up toys before bed and putting the bins in their designated areas. We purchased an 8 cube bin from Better Homes and Gardens that works great at holding bins, books, and larger items.
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| Keeping clutter off the floor! |
The kitchen is a great, although messy, place to let your kids help clean up. The 4.5 year old sets the table before dinner. He's also able to help empty the dishwasher and place the dishes on a towel on the counter. The 2.5 year old is able to carry cups with lids and small empty plates to the table. Both understand knives and hot plates are taken care of by momma. Letting them assist in the kitchen gives them the feeling of being "helpful" and "needed." Both of mine seem to eat that up....or maybe they're just trying to hurry dinner to the table? Either way.
Teaching young children to help in the kitchen and around the house will stick with them as they grow into young adults. Even at a young age children are able to take pride in having a clean room that they are responsible for. Don't get me wrong, somedays my house looks like a tornado passed through and I question if we have been burglarized or if this is just how the house looks. On those days I ask my littles to help out and they do. Who knew little people could be so helpful??
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| She was surprised that a 2.5 year old could be so helpful!! |
Below you will find links to some of the storage items mentioned above!
http://www.landofnod.com/bins-and-baskets/storage/i-think-i-canvas-hamper/f4156 - Clothing Hampers
http://www.target.com/p/threshold-fabric-cube-storage-bin-patterned/-/A-50253259 - Target bins
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-8-Cube-Organizer-Multiple-Colors/29741111 - 8 Cube Bin
What great ideas to get your kids to start helping! My one and a half year old only pushes our hamper (with my help) to the laundry room. He doesn't quite get the concept of cleaning, but he will push a mop around in the kitchen!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina! That's a great start of getting him to help you!! It's amazing what our little people are capable of!!
DeleteSuch great suggestions! I loved reading about your laundry routine, your toy clean up and you kitchen helpers. I could definitely have Olive help me more with her laundry. She's helpful with her toys and helpful with unloading the dishwasher. I just need to give up some of the control and let her help MORE. I know she'd love it and I'd be happy to see her learning new skills. Thanks for the reminders and thanks for linking up with us today :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! Giving up control is hard isn't it!? I have to sometimes go back and straighten up or redo something they've done when they're not looking. I love the Tuesday Talk group!!
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