It’s here! The time of year that we look forward to the most! Well, sort of…It’s spring cleaning time!
The time has come to throw out the old and bring in the new, and this doesn’t just mean that dress you still haven’t worn. This time of year can often be stressful for you and it may seem even more overwhelming with your little one(s) running around. We’re here to share with you that it doesn’t have to be!
Here are 5 tips to help make your Spring cleaning easy, fun and an overall great learning experience for your littles!
- Make it fun!
Let’s face it. Hardly anyone likes to clean, especially our little ones! It’s important to make this time both educational & productive and to ensure that there is a positive connection to such tasks. Examples to get your littles in the groove may be to play their favorite music or show them that you are enjoying it as well— make a dance party out of it! Doing this can help associating a fun feeling towards the task, and who knows, they may even look forward to it in the future!
2. Reward them after!
This is so important when involving them in what can at first be seen as a not so fun activity. Let them know that with hard work comes reward, even if it’s just putting away their favorite toy. Rewarding them is a great way for them to take pride in their work- to learn how important it is to follow through – and to build their confidence simultaneously. You can offer them a sticker, favorite TV show or snack … be creative!
3. Lead by example.
We get it. With how much you already do it can seem impossible to see cleaning as anything but a “good time.” But attitude is everything – by showing them that you’re excited about cleaning and that you enjoy it, odds are they will too. Little ones are notorious for mimicking those around them and respond well to positive reactions from you. Express your excitement towards it and you’ll have your cleaning buddy in no time!
4. Encourage them.
A little frustration is inevitable from your littles during cleanup time. If you find that they are upset, angry or start to lose control of their emotions, encourage them to work through those feelings and let them know that you both are a team! Encouraging them to keep going through positive reinforcement, through words “Wow, you’re so good at sorting & matching your socks!” and or offering extra hugs or high-fives, will allow them to see that they are not alone. Allow them to feel angry, then show them that by pushing through those feelings is worth it in the end. Look at what they were able to accomplish!
5. Give each other a high five!
You did it! You were productive and made cleaning a great learning and teachable moment. This is something that you both can feel great about and is a huge accomplishment!
By the end of the day you should feel accomplished and good about including them into your Spring Cleaning schedule. Although it may not be easy to include the kiddos all the time, these tips can surely help you to feel positive and good about what used to be daunting tasks. Teaching and showing them the list above, is a great way to help them develop a great understanding of what cleaning may be and why it’s important. Even more so, teaching them to work through those tough feelings they may feel during the process, can ease them in knowing that with participation comes reward and or positive outcomes! Not only does this allow them to feel good about themselves but it also teaches them to follow instructions. We know nannies, these things can be hard at first. We get it! That’s why we’re here to encourage you to put your best self forward and give you some great tips that will give them the best cleaning time they ever did have.
Happy spring cleaning, nannies!