As a parent, you’ve probably experienced the all-too-familiar sight of toys, clothes, and other items scattered across your home. You’re not alone. Many parents grapple with teaching their kids the essential life skill of tidying up. But fear not! This guide will break down the process of teaching your kids “how to pick up things” and put them where they belong. We’ve got a handy Goal Mine class video that your kids can watch to learn this skill independently. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1: When You’re Done | Teach your kids to put away items immediately after they’re done using them. Make cleanup a fun activity and reinforce the habit with positive reinforcement. |
| Step 2: When You Find Them | Use stray items as teaching moments. Encourage your kids to think about where the item belongs and have them put it away. Remember to keep the tone light and educational. |
Step 1: When You’re Done
Firstly, it’s crucial to instill in your kids the habit of cleaning up once they’re done using an item. For instance, if they’ve finished playing with their toys, they should put them back in the box. Similarly, after reading a book, it should go back on the shelf. But how do you teach this to your kids?
Start by setting a clear rule: “When we’re done with something, we put it away.” Repeat this mantra often and model it in your actions. When you finish reading the newspaper, for example, say aloud, “I’m done reading, so I’m going to put this away.” Then, could you do it? Kids learn best by example, so your actions will reinforce this important lesson.
Moreover, make cleanup a fun activity. Turn it into a game or sing a cleanup song. Positive reinforcement also works wonders. Praise your kids when they remember to put things away, and gradually, they’ll start doing it independently.
Read more: Teaching Your Kid How to Pick Up Toys
Step 2: When You Find Them
kids often leave things lying around despite our best efforts. So, what do you do when you find a stray toy or a book out of place? Use it as a teaching moment.
Instead of picking up the item yourself, call your child and say, “Look, we found a toy that’s not in its place. Where does it belong?” Please encourage them to think about where the item should go and then have them put it away. This helps kids understand that every item has a ‘home’ and reinforces the concept of tidying up.
Remember, consistency is key. The more often you do this, the more likely your child will start picking up things independently. However, it’s important not to turn this into a punishment. Keep the tone light and educational. After all, the goal is to help your kids develop useful life skills, not to make them feel bad.
Goally | 100+ Streaming Video Classes
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 Brush Your Teeth” to “How to Make Friends at School,” we have dozens of interactive video lessons for kids with thinking and learning differences.
HERE’s a video explaining how to works.
Teaching your kids “how to pick up things” and put them where they belong is a gradual process. It requires patience, consistency, and a lot of positive reinforcement. But the payoff is worth it. Not only will your home be tidier, but your kids will also learn responsibility and respect for their belongings. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Our Goal Mine class video is a great resource to help your kids learn this skill independently. And for even more life skills lessons, consider getting Goally’s dedicated Tablet. It’s packed with video lessons that cover everything from tidying up to brushing your teeth. So, why wait? Start teaching your kids these essential life skills today!
Goally
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