Kids are messy; there’s no way around it. As a parent, you’re pretty accustomed to stepping over toys, navigating the LEGO maze, and are an expert when it comes to folding a fitted sheet. But there are only so many times you can ask your child to make their bed or pick up after themselves. There has got to be a way to get your child to love cleaning! Lake Forrest Prep, an Orlando private school, can help make cleaning feel like less of a chore.

Start Young

Get your child excited about cleaning as soon as possible! While they shouldn’t be given tasks that involve chemicals or difficult to reach areas, picking up their toys or putting their dirty laundry in the hamper is a great way to teach your child to clean up after themselves. If they’re young, make a game out of it! Start a round of laundry basketball or make a race out of taking out the trash. By building positive associations with cleaning, your child will be more motivated to continue the habit.

Follow The Leader

Kids love to do what you do — especially if it looks like fun! Take advantage of your child’s natural curiosity by showing them how to do certain tasks. While they may be too young to push a vacuum, they can certainly push their toy vacuum by their side! If you’re washing a window, let your child move the rag around. If you foster their curiosity, they’ll look forward to helping!

Focus On The Positive

From making the bed to loading the dishwasher, we all clean a certain way. Rather than focusing on how your child can improve their word, praise them for taking the extra step! When a critique is preceded by genuine praise, your child will be more willing to listen to feedback. 

After all the dishes are clean and each piece of laundry is put away, it’s time to celebrate! Order a pizza and dig in to celebrate a job well done. And remember — it takes time to build a habit! But with some gentle reminders, your child will learn to love cleaning in no time. For more tips on developing a green thumb and putting together a family night, check out Orlando private school Lake Forrest Prep’s blog!