Ah, the kitchen. It’s the place of memories, where cookie dough gets stuck on fingers and juice occasionally spills. Every parent knows the struggle: teaching kids responsibility while keeping a clean home. You’re not alone, and we’ve got a solution. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to teach kids how to clean kitchen surfaces. And hey, if you’d prefer to see it in action, there’s a Goal Mine class video on the blog designed to help your kiddo master this skill independently. Press play, and they’ll be off to a great start with step one!
Table of Contents
Step 1: Wipe off the Dirt
- Recognizing the Mess: Kids must identify what needs cleaning Before diving into cleaning sprays and scrubbing. Dust, crumbs, or tiny sticky handprints: these are common culprits. For instance, you might say, “See these crumbs from our toast this morning? That’s what we need to tackle.”
- Choosing the Right Cloth: It’s not just about wiping away; it’s about using the right tool. Cloth choices matter. You could go for disposable kitchen wipes or a reusable microfiber cloth. Both work wonders. And teaching kids the difference can help them make eco-friendlier choices in the future. Above all, ensure they know that a clean cloth is essential to start. A dirty one spreads the mess around.
| Step Number | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 | Wipe off the Dirt |
| 2 | Spray Chemicals and Wipe Counters |
| 3 | Clean Up After |
Read more: 5 Simple Steps to Teach Your Kid Personal Hygiene
Step 2: Spray Chemicals and Wipe Counters
- Using Safe Cleaning Sprays: This is a biggie. We must ensure our kids know which cleaning sprays are safe and how much to use. A simple rule of thumb? Less is more. A gentle misting is usually enough. Meanwhile, make certain they understand to never mix chemicals. In other words, if they’ve started with one spray, they shouldn’t layer another on top.
- Perfecting the Wipe Technique: It sounds straightforward, right? However, there’s a technique to it. Circular motions often work best to lift dirt and residue. Similarly, a bit of gentle pressure can make all the difference for stubborn spots. Encourage your young cleaner to always wipe in one direction, pushing the dirt off the counter rather than back and forth.
Read more: Motivate Kids With ADHD With Responsibility Charts
Step 3: Clean Up After
- Dispose or Wash Cleaning Materials: After the kitchen shines, it’s time for the final touches. If you’ve used disposable wipes, they go straight into the trash. On the other hand, reusable cloths head to the laundry. Teaching kids to clean up after their cleaning session is vital. It completes the cycle and maintains hygiene.
- Review the Clean Space: Let your child take a moment to admire their work. It not only boosts their confidence but also reinforces the value of their effort. Above all, it helps them recognize the difference between a messy and clean space.
Goally | Learning Videos for Kids
Does your child need some extra guidance on building essential life skills? Goally’s skill building tablet for kids includes a TV app that has the most robust video library of skills training videos for kids. Ranging from content like “How to Clean the Kitchen” to “How to Make Friends at School,” we have dozens of interactive video lessons for kids with thinking and learning differences.
Dive into the Goal Mine channel, where Puffy the Penguin leads your child through behavior skills training videos. They’ll learn social, hygiene, and living skills that are key to their independence. For those moments when they need a break, the Chill Zone channel offers low stimulation video content with Paulie the Penguin at the beach, perfect for relaxation and self-regulation.
Try Goally as an app on any device you have at home for just $15. We also have a dedicated tablet (which ONLY has Goally on it) for $149.
In conclusion, while this guide offers a basic understanding of kitchen cleaning, it’s just the beginning. There’s so much more to explore in teaching kids about household chores. To sum up, teaching them these skills imparts responsibility and builds a foundation for future life skills. And remember, our embedded YouTube video covers step #1, but to unlock the rest of the video lessons on “how to clean the kitchen, consider getting Goally’s dedicated Tablet. It’s a game-changer in making chores fun and educational. Happy cleaning!
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
