- 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.
Learning to Clean Up - Montessori Young Toddler Week 27 and 28
Would you like to comment?
- Unknown said...
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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!
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June 15, 2018 at 9:02 PM
- Nicole @ The Kavanaugh Report said...
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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.
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June 16, 2018 at 7:08 AM