Want to get your kids cleaning up (instead of complaining)? These 11 tips will help you teach them how — and get them to continue — to clean their room. <\/p> “One way to encourage kids to do chores is to reframe the language. Instead of chores, maybe they can be called responsibilities.” <\/p>— Lauren Schapiro, psychotherapist<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> Most kids scatter like roaches the minute the phrase “clean your room” is uttered by their parents (which is part of the problem — more on this in a bit). But learning how to clean your room (and keep it clean) is, for better or worse, an important life skill.<\/p> “Chores are often a big topic of debate between parents and kids, but it’s important for kids to have them in order to learn the importance of taking responsibility,” Schapiro says. “When kids have chores, such as cleaning their room, it also helps improve their confidence and foster feelings of competence. All children want to learn how to master tasks they could not previously accomplish, and having chores helps improve self-esteem by succeeding in completing these tasks.” <\/p> The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry<\/a> (AACAP) adds that there are benefits to having kids do chores<\/a> as young as 3. Children who do chores, AACAP notes, may “exhibit higher self-esteem, be more responsible and be better equipped to deal with frustration, adversity and delayed gratification.”<\/p> While having kids regularly clean their room yields bigger results than what meets the eye, getting them to actually do it is another story. These expert cleaning tips will help you teach kids to combine good habits with solid organizational tricks, which can make the job less daunting for all.<\/p> <\/p> For kids first learning the art of cleaning their rooms (aka, the art of not shoving everything under their bed), Amelia Meena, owner of Appleshine Organization and Design<\/a> in New York City, suggests narrating the process to them. “Talk through everything you’re cleaning up as you do it, so they can learn,” Meena says. “Say: ‘I’m putting all the trains back in this bin so we can find them easily next time. ‘Then I’ll put all the play food back in the play kitchen because that’s where it belongs.’”<\/p> Instead of telling your child to clean their room on a whim after walking by and seeing the latest tornado that hit, make it regular. This way, it doesn’t catch them off guard and seem arbitrary. <\/p> “Having a weekly schedule of when kids should pick up their room shows them expectations from the beginning,” Schapiro explains, adding that, if possible, kids should get involved in the planning by letting them choose which chores they’re going to do and when. <\/p> That being said, when it comes to their bedrooms, how often you think they should be tidied up is up to you. “I’m pretty Type A, so I like having the playroom and bedrooms picked up every day or evening, but that might not work for everyone,” says Meena. “Whatever you decide, though, make sure the kids are participating in cleaning up, even just a small amount if they’re still little.”<\/p> “Whatever you decide, make sure the kids are participating in cleaning up, even just a small amount if they’re still little.”<\/p>— Amelia Meena, professional organizer<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> One mom’s solution for getting her 9-year-old to clean her room: Music. On her phone, specifically. “Getting to use\/touch\/do anything with my phone is still enticing to my daughter since she doesn’t have one,” says Kristin Imhoff of Middle Village, New York. “I let her make a playlist, and then she rocks out with headphones on while taking care of her room. It works every time and is pretty adorable to watch, too.”<\/p> A favorite toy storage solution<\/a> of Meena’s are carts with wheels. “They’re great for bulky items, like blocks, Magna-Tiles and train sets<\/a>,” she says, “so the kids can wheel them to the play spot and easily dump them out, then put them back.” <\/p> Where to buy (Meena’s favorite): <\/strong>Carolina Grow-with-You Activity Carts<\/a> ($200-$229 for two carts, Pottery Barn Kids)<\/p> For little kids who make big messes in their rooms, Meena suggests getting a few clear bins and taping photos on the front, indicating what goes in each. “Contain the toys by category,” she says, “such as figures, LOL Dolls, cars, etc.” Meena also suggests rotating toy bins, so everything’s not out all at once. “Keep a few bins in storage for another day,” she says. “With fewer options to play with, it’ll keep the area less cluttered.”<\/p>Key takeaways<\/h3>
Why is it important for kids to learn how to clean up?<\/h2>
How to clean your room (for kids)<\/h2>
1. Talk through the clean-up process <\/h3>
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<\/figure>2. Make it routine <\/h3>
3. Crank the music<\/h3>
4. Use carts on wheels <\/h3>
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5. Use clear bins with photos <\/h3>
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