This week’s task in the Weekly Household Planner for Saturday
Kids Straighten Bedrooms
Keeping up with all the rooms in your home is rather exhausting! But when do you begin to have your children take responsibility for keeping their rooms tidy?
I get this question a lot and honestly, it depends on the development of your child and what life skills you’ve been teaching them along the way.
I like to say that even beginning at age 3 a child can have a very active role in caring for their room. Obviously you need to actively engage your child and help direct them when they are younger, but as they progress, allowing them to complete the task on their own is a very valuable life skill.
Here is a quick check list guide to help your child tidy their room on their own.
Perhaps this week you can print out a list for them and post it behind their bedroom door. This way they will have it every week and can go off the list. But for the first few times I would walk through the list with them and help guide them on how each step should be completed.
1. Grab your supplies
- A basket, bag, or box to put clutter items
- A vacuum cleaner or broom
- A hamper
- A trash container
- A toy box
- A damp rag
2. Place all dirty clothing in hamper/basket
Gather ALL dirty clothes – even ones from under the bed or on your closet floor.
3. Grab all trash and put it in the trash can.
Pick up all the obvious trash and throw it in the can.
4. Make the bed
Pull all sheets and blankets up and neatly spread your comforter/bed spread out. Place your pillow on last.
5. Grab all the clean clothes and refold/rehang.
Place all clean clothes on your freshly made bed. You can fold all the clothes and make stacks and then place them in the appropriate places. You can also take hangars and place them on your bed for easier access to hang items.
6. Pickup all the toys from the floor, bed, desk, etc.
Place items into a toy box, on a shelf or wherever they belong.
7. Pickup all the items that don’t belong in the room and place them in a basket, box, or bag.
Do not worry about placing items where they belong – just put them all in a basket for now.
8. Sweep or vacuum.
Clean all surface area floors – don’t worry about moving furniture.
9. Wipe down flat surfaces
Take your damp rag and wipe down your nightstand, desk, shelves and windowsill.
10. Put away all of your supplies.
Empty your box of items that did not belong in your room (meaning put them where they DO belong) and put away your other supplies. That’s it. You’re done.
What other tips/suggestions do you have for keeping your child’s room tidy?
