Getting your kids involved in “clean up”
Posted by Wendy Foster on Thu, September 17th 2009 in Parenting "Tools"
Mama and Pilates Educator Wendy Foster has a brilliant idea for getting kids involved in clean up!
We have a big, open room in our basement. My sons are finally at the age where they realize there are no monsters down there and will go down to play on their own. We are in the process of organizing toys, balls, pitching machines, leggos, etc. At the same time, we are trying to keep the toys picked up when not in use. I had an amazing A-HA moment when the 3 slide out drawer storage bin that I had just purchased for this purpose was obsconded by my almost 3-year-old.
Of course, it was on wheels and rolled very smoothly and quickly on the carpeted floor. The boys were stearing and suddenly started playing “recycle truck.” They would zoom around and then stop, slide out a drawer and place a toy inside. Zoom around some more, place some balls inside the next drawer. They participated in this for more than an hour!
It worked perfectly for getting them involved in cleaning up! The only rules: you have to operate the bin at medium speed, and you cannot bang into anything. They had such a blast doing this, I am going back to storables to purchase a smaller, sports car version of the same bin. Although, that could be dangerous… We did just witness demolition derby at the Clark County Fair a few weeks ago!
Wendy Foster
Mamalates
