Children are cute and wonderful creatures, however, who can be too much trouble. Bad grades and pranks are nothing compared to a real life-long problem - a mess. It would seem: the child is simply messy or this is age, but it is not. Love for order and cleanliness should be instilled by parents.
But how to teach a child to order and where to start?
First steps to order
To accustom a child to order, you need to understand: what is order for you personally and bring it to the child.
The age from which you can and should pay the attention of the baby to the need to clean up - 2-3 years. At this point, the child can already convey what exactly in your family is considered clean and tidy. For example, in one family, a mom’s request to put things in order means wet cleaning, returning each item to its place, watering the flowers. In another family, the same request is only a call for the need to collect toys and make the bed.
Taking the first steps in the process of teaching a child to order, it should be remembered that such qualities as organization and attentiveness are in the development stage up to 19 years.
Also, do not lose sight of your influence on the baby. Children under 5 years old fully copy their family members. If you don’t follow the order, don’t show the child the cleaning process by his own example, or aloud comment on the need for cleaning as a punishment, then do not expect success in this field from the baby.
One of the main principles in the process of accustoming to order is praise. Many parents often sin by negatively commenting on the actions of the child or not allowing them to finish what they started.
The usual picture: a five-year-old boy tries to help his mother and picks up a vacuum cleaner. Long and hard, he vacuumed a small carpet, while spending all his childhood strength. And what does he hear from mom? There is a speck, there is a speck, poorly vacuumed. Or even selects a vacuum cleaner to quickly finish cleaning.
It is important to remember that children need your praise and support. Take any children's initiative with enthusiasm. Praise the child, do not reproach and do not point out the flaws. The main thing is to accustom the child to order, and the rest of the qualities (accuracy, accuracy, organization, attentiveness) will form with age.
How to teach a child 2-4 years old to order
A period of two to four years is sensitive for instilling a love of order, as well as in order to form cleanliness as a habit. It is in this age period that it is easiest to form a habit of keeping order. Why is it so important to form a “habit”? Because this term means the execution of an action is automated. That is, the child will keep order on his own.
At this age, there are few enough tricks to teach a child to order. But, nevertheless, 2-4 years are the period of the most effective effect on the baby. Only a few recommendations should be followed:
• Own example
At this age, 90% of success depends on the love of cleanliness and order of the family members of the child. Children aged 2-4 years imitate their parents completely. Show the child how you wash the dishes, how to vacuum or wipe the rack so that the child grows up with the knowledge that cleaning is the norm.
• Cleaning is not a punishment
Parents very often make a very tough mistake, positioning cleaning as a punishment. It is this method that subsequently leads to the rejection of order. Cleaning should be a joy, associated with something pleasant.
• Tasks by age
A small number of parents force children to carry out overpowering buildings for children 2-4 years old to restore order and cleanliness. On the contrary, it is customary to spare and relieve children of any difficulties. Nevertheless, it should be recalled that buildings should be affordable for the child, not cause him pain and severe fatigue.
• Game form
The game method in the education of preschool children is actively used in all educational fields. Labor activity is no exception. Invite the child to imagine that it started to rain in the room and that all the toys need to be put on the shelves (in the toy basket, closet), arrange a competition: who will put more books on the shelf. Thanks to this method, children perceive cleaning only as an exciting game.
How to teach a child 5-8 years old to order
When a child reaches the age of five, it becomes almost impossible to lure his beloved child into the game by cleaning. Parents begin to relate to children at this age with more “adult” requirements, constantly note that the baby is already big and do not consider it necessary to spend their energy on the search for new methods. On this basis, conflicts occur that also deter the child from cleaning.
That's right, he's already big. That is why it is time to start treating cleaning as an important mission that any adult performs. Consider a few recommendations:
• To-do list
From the age of five, children have already mastered reading. This fact suggests a lot of tricks: a family duty schedule, an individual to-do list for the day, individual responsibilities. Write on a piece of paper feasible tasks for the child, without fail decorating him with some pleasant drawing. Leave in a conspicuous place and let the baby show its independence. It should be noted that it is necessary to warn the child about such lists, otherwise it will cause indignation and even riot. Family watch schedules are also popular. They are preferable, since the child sees that he is doing the task with his family and does not feel left out.
• Consistency
Identify the main responsibilities of the child. Let him always vacuum and water the flowers. At your discretion. But the baby will be more pleasant to be responsible for certain actions on an ongoing basis.
• Formation of independence
Do not do for the child what he can do himself. Often the situation is as follows: mom said five times to wipe the dust from the shelves, the child ignored the request, mom herself wiped the dust from the shelves. You can’t do this. Gently but strictly demand the fulfillment of your request.
How to teach order from a child 9-15 years old
The transitional age, which is characterized by conflict, rebellion, integrity, begins with just nine years. To be honest, at this age it is too late to instill a love of order and cleanliness, but it is still possible to convey the need for cleaning to the teenager.
• Motivate
Motivation is the driving force. The "If you clean up - the room will become cleaner" options for teens are not effective. Consider the interests of a teenager. For example, my gender - he can listen to music, watering flowers - watch TV.
• Do not make fun of
Teenagers often suffer from self-doubt, low self-esteem, self-criticism, and parental ridicule and reproach annoy the child in earnest. If you have already achieved that the child has started cleaning, then support him, praise the result. If relations with a teenager are of a conflicting nature, then it is better to leave him alone and not comment on his actions.
So, we found out that it is necessary to accustom a child to order from an early age, using tricks and pedagogical methods of influence.
