Learning to Clean Up - Montessori Young Toddler Week 27 and 28

I don’t know when it first happened, but one day I noticed it. And then again. And again. Gus playing with a material, then that material put back on the shelf when he was done. Suddenly, my baby was starting to clean up, restore work, and maintain order.

Now, let’s not get the impression that it’s perfect. Or that it’s every single time, because it’s not. But it is happening. And, it always surprises me a bit when it does. After months and months of exploration and tornado-like movement, a slow and orderly boy emerges.

4 Montessori friendly tips to help your toddler learn to clean up after themselves.

It shouldn’t surprise me, Maria Montessori talked extensively about the importance of order for children. She said, “Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness.” The sensitive period for order is strong in young toddlers. They recognize order and seek to make it. A disruption to their sense of order causes them real distress. So it makes sense that children around this age can clean up the toys and materials that they use.

But, I do think there are a few things that can help this process be successful:

Your own expectations - keep them in check! No young toddler is going to be perfect or always restore work. Know that for the time being any small step in that direction is a good thing.
Refrain from praise - don't make cleaning up about the "reward" of your praise or attention. In the end this will kill a child's intrinsic motivation to restore order.
Prepare your space - create an environment where there is a clear sense of order. This includes making sure there aren't too many materials on the shelves, that work is clearly organized, that materials are appropriate. Your child has to know where things go and what things there are in order to maintain the order.
Model, model, model - and do so joyfully! Don't wait to pick up until after your child is in bed or has moved to something else. Model maintaining order for your child. Make it a simple part of everyday life. It's just something you do and don't make it a chore.

Have you noticed your child starting to clean up after themselves?

---

The Ultimate Montessori Toy List -- Birth to Five -- UPDATED 2021

When you are interested in Montessori, it can be difficult to know exactly what types of products you should get for your home. Or which types of "Montessori" materials are really worth the price. There are no rules about types of products can use the name Montessori which can add to the confusion. Not to mention, every toy manufacturer slaps the word "educational" on the package for good measure! 2021 UPDATE: Please be patient with links this year, with supply chain issues things are selling out faster and restocking slower. I anticipate some of the specialty toys will not restock once they are gone. Puzzles, in particular, have been difficult to find in stock. So, with this post, I'm going to try to help with this confusion! Here's a list of Montessori-friendly toys and materials for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. First, let's clarify that there is no such thing as a "Montessori toy." Montessori never created toys, bu

Montessori Toddler: Favorite Toys and Activities 18 to 20 months

I've been putting off this post for a little while because I felt a little disappointed that I didn't have more to share. See, Teddy just isn't that into materials, especially those on the shelf. He tends to return to a couple of favorites over and over again and ignore all other attempts at shelf work. But, really that's my own adult feelings getting in the way of Teddy's own interests, and developmental path. It's also me subconsciously valuing fine motor skills and stillness as more important than gross motor play and movement. I working hard not to do that, and want to normalize that all toddlers are different. All children have different interests and that concentration doesn't have to mean sitting still for long stretches of time. This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. With all that said, here are some of Teddy's favorites over the last couple of months. Favorite Montessori Toys 18 to 20 Months I'm listing the toys that have be

Our Family's Montessori Christmas Gift Lists 2021

It's hard to believe another holiday season is upon us again. Every year I enjoy putting together my kids' Christmas gift lists. It's really a good time to observe them, see what they are interested in and what they might be ready for during this coming year. It's one of the few times a year that I purchase new materials for our home so it's always really exciting. IF YOU NEED MORE IDEAS DON'T MISS MY ULTIMATE MONTESSORI TOY LIST OR MY 2021 DEALS PAGE ! When considering these lists, please remember that these were curated based on my own children. Use them for inspiration but they are heavily influenced by what my children are into and interested in. And for my older second plane children, what they have asked for! Here's a look at our family's Montessori Christmas lists for 2021! This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you. Theodore (Toddler) Teddy is just over 2-years-old. Being our fourth baby, he is really hard for me to think of unique

Comments

Unknown said…

Hi Nicole! Gus is adorable :) My son is 19 months and I've been working on modeling the same thing. Sometimes he does great and cleans upuon his own but many other times he just watches me clean or continues playing. Is it appropriate for me to insist that he help, or is it better to just continue to model? I usually try to gently encourage if he doesn't feel like helping by handing him things to put away and making suggestions. I'm a little worried that if I don't take action now I'll end up with a 5 year old who never cleans up. But I also wonder if maybe my expectations are too high (he's my first). I'd appreciate any suggestions!

June 15, 2018 at 9:02 PM

Nicole @ The Kavanaugh Report said…

I think you will find you get more resisting the more you push. I honestly don't push it. An older child will have very different motivations. Joyfully model and trust that he will follow.

June 16, 2018 at 7:08 AM

The Kavanaugh Report

Search This Blog