Spring Cleaning… with a little help
Get a head start on your spring clean, by encouraging your children to help with household chores. With any luck it will instil good valuable habits and vital life skills.
time with you, no matter what you are doing, and it is often a great time to chat to your little ones.
My older two - four and three years old - leave a path of destruction wherever they go. But they (usually) do enjoy helping out around the house if I can make it fun; for example, by turning it into a race or competition, or cranking up the music. They also enjoy feeling involved with the tasks I’m doing around the house. They feel a sense of achievement on completing a task and helping Mummy.
Of course some of these you might have to redo yourself. But make sure you praise them for the effort and not just the outcome.
Helping out with household chores teaches children a range of skills such as; • Self-care • Problem solving • Cause and effect • Responsibility • Team work • Improved motor skills. Allowing your children to be involved with jobs at home builds their confidence, by knowing how to do things and becoming self reliant. I’ve also learnt that a child’s favorite toy is you! They are happy spending
Ways toddlers can help around the house
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Loading the washing machine Cleaning windows Tidy their room Put away toys Water plants Dusting Washing up Helping to prepare food
If you have older children, you might introduce some more age appropriate tasks such as vacuuming and making their beds. Don’t forget keep it fun and don’t expect perfection. Let them do it, follow their lead, and give them lots of praise.
We’d love to see what you get up to, tag and follow us on Instagram @mammas_house
