7 Steps to Help Kids Keep a Clean Room

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By Marie-Helen Goyetche

Whether or not you work outside the home, you still have to cook, do laundry, take care of the children often the last thing on your list is the child's bedroom. But you can get your little ones to help keep their rooms clean in seven simple ways. The key is to be realistic and make the chores kid-friendly.

BEDS: Don't ask your child to flatten sheets, make hospital corners and fluff up pillows. Instead set up the bed with a comforter. Even a 3-year-old can "hide" a bed under it.
LAUNDRY: Are you having difficulty getting the dirty clothes near the washing machine? Set a hamper in a corner of their room. If you don't have one available, use a man's old shirt fixed on a hanger. Button it up and stitch the bottom together. Use the neck of the shirt as the entrance to your "hamper". When it's full all you have to do is carry the hanger and you won't lose any clothes on the way.
TOYS: For this job, shelves work better than a toy box. Many times when a child wants a particular toy, he must empty the entire toy box just to find it. By setting up a lot of low shelves in his room, he can take out only what he wants to play with. Use pictures of the toys taped to the shelf if you want them in a specific place.
PUZZLES & GAMES: First, identify pieces that go together. Color the back with the same color (ie: Batman puzzle all in yellow, Daffy Duck all in blue). If the box is all torn, use empty wet wipe boxes (these actually take up less space and are extremely durable).
BOOKS: Set them on shelves, using covered boxes as separators. Divide them by theme, magazines or age group, depending on what your library contains.
CARS AND ACTION FIGURES: Pre-schoolers just love these little toys. Use a clean, milk gallon container to store them in. Cut a hole in it, but leave the handle on. This makes it easy to carry.
BLOCKS: Use an old skirt and stitch the bottom together. Decorate with fabric paints and use belt loops to tie together. Hang it up and teach children that all blocks belong in the bag.

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Comments

Sydney | September 14, 2008 at 2:16 pm - §

That really helped. I've been having so many troubles with my bedroom. I am 10 years old and can't really clean up very well. After i read these tips, my room was looking GREAT!! Thank you!