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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Clean up, Clean up, nobody wants to do their share.....
mrsp'slilpeeps 07:06 AM 05-20-2014
I am having a mega issue with all of my dcks not cleaning up after they are done with a certain box of toys.
I have dcks that are between the ages of 2-8. My big PITA are the 2, 2yr olds that think its hilarious to just wander around and dump cubbies, move chairs around and climb up on the cubbies when my head is turned, dump every ones diapers from the cubbies, dump the books, and rip them and toss them every where. I don't know how to curb this behavior, and time out means nothing to them.
At the end of the day when the older kids get here, they too make a mess and everyone refuses to clean up. Then im stuck with the mess to tend to EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Im fed up and my playroom is a pig sty cause I refuse to clean it.
I have told them that they don't get to go outside, go home ect, until its clean but that doesn't work.
I need advice, especially with the 2 yr olds, before I go completely insane.
I have dcks that are between the ages of 2-8. My big PITA are the 2, 2yr olds that think its hilarious to just wander around and dump cubbies, move chairs around and climb up on the cubbies when my head is turned, dump every ones diapers from the cubbies, dump the books, and rip them and toss them every where. I don't know how to curb this behavior, and time out means nothing to them.
At the end of the day when the older kids get here, they too make a mess and everyone refuses to clean up. Then im stuck with the mess to tend to EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Im fed up and my playroom is a pig sty cause I refuse to clean it.
I have told them that they don't get to go outside, go home ect, until its clean but that doesn't work.
I need advice, especially with the 2 yr olds, before I go completely insane.
racemom 07:21 AM 05-20-2014
Can you put the majority of the toys somewhere so they have to ask for what they want. That way they have to clean up what they are playing with before they get something else. Or put all of the toys but a few away and make them earn the privilege of having more by proving they can clean up what they have, and as they get more toys if they are not picked up they go away again.
daycare_jen 07:33 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by racemom:
Can you put the majority of the toys somewhere so they have to ask for what they want. That way they have to clean up what they are playing with before they get something else. Or put all of the toys but a few away and make them earn the privilege of having more by proving they can clean up what they have, and as they get more toys if they are not picked up they go away again.
Can you put the majority of the toys somewhere so they have to ask for what they want. That way they have to clean up what they are playing with before they get something else. Or put all of the toys but a few away and make them earn the privilege of having more by proving they can clean up what they have, and as they get more toys if they are not picked up they go away again.
If I have a group of dcks that don't clean up, I put toys in storage containers to keep in a large closet or my garage. I will only bring in one or two bins of various toys at a time. (I only have 3 dck plus one of my own, so the amount works for me.) I do frequent clean up times so the mess doesn't get too out of control. If you have a place you can keep toys to minimize what they can get in to and rotate them, I suggest that. and then if they start do well with cleaning up, add a bit more in.
Heidi 07:34 AM 05-20-2014
Remove a ton of toys from their reach. Remove anything they shouldn't play with from their reach. Get to the home store and buy some shelves to put diaper cubbies up OVER the changing table.
I'd remove the chairs for a while, too. Or, give them one chance to sit on the chair nicely each day, and then remove.
You could put shelves around the top of the room so that toys can be seen, but not reached. Then, they can "trade" you something that is out already.
I just velcro'd all my baskets down (I think Silver does this), and it's FANTASTIC. I got these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are heavy plastic, but look like wicker, and the front is semi-open. My toddlers can see what's inside, but they can't dump.
Number one thing, though, is take out a bunch of stuff.
For school-agers, maybe make a separate area (can you block off part of the room?) and institute a clean-as-you-go policy. Hold a meeting. "Guys, these little folks look to you for example. I REALLY need your help modeling good cleaning" Maybe you could do some sort of reward system for the school-agers like ice cream on Fridays for a good week of help?
I'd remove the chairs for a while, too. Or, give them one chance to sit on the chair nicely each day, and then remove.
You could put shelves around the top of the room so that toys can be seen, but not reached. Then, they can "trade" you something that is out already.
I just velcro'd all my baskets down (I think Silver does this), and it's FANTASTIC. I got these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They are heavy plastic, but look like wicker, and the front is semi-open. My toddlers can see what's inside, but they can't dump.
Number one thing, though, is take out a bunch of stuff.
For school-agers, maybe make a separate area (can you block off part of the room?) and institute a clean-as-you-go policy. Hold a meeting. "Guys, these little folks look to you for example. I REALLY need your help modeling good cleaning" Maybe you could do some sort of reward system for the school-agers like ice cream on Fridays for a good week of help?
countrymom 07:39 AM 05-20-2014
I have this problem too. But its one dcb age 3. He only comes one day a week and is horrible. I don't know how many times I yell at him to clean his mess up. In one hour he has dumped out the crayons 3 times (he was sent to the corner)
so I tell the sister (mom never picks up) about the issue and she tells me that he's like this at home except that he's dumping all the clothes out too and refusing to clean up. ARgh, now I to work extra hard to make him clean up.
so I tell the sister (mom never picks up) about the issue and she tells me that he's like this at home except that he's dumping all the clothes out too and refusing to clean up. ARgh, now I to work extra hard to make him clean up.
CraftyMom 07:46 AM 05-20-2014
I agree, take away most of the toys. If they aren't there they can't make a mess with them.
I keep my toys minimal and rotate them.
I find that when there are too many toys they "get bored" and "there's nothing to do". By rotating the toys it makes them seem new again
When I have a child that refuses to clean I place a toy in his hand and lead him where the toy needs to go. Over and over until he realizes he will clean up his mess either way.
I keep my toys minimal and rotate them.
I find that when there are too many toys they "get bored" and "there's nothing to do". By rotating the toys it makes them seem new again
When I have a child that refuses to clean I place a toy in his hand and lead him where the toy needs to go. Over and over until he realizes he will clean up his mess either way.
childcaremom 08:05 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by CraftyMom:
When I have a child that refuses to clean I place a toy in his hand and lead him where the toy needs to go. Over and over until he realizes he will clean up his mess either way.
I went through this with my 2s, too. I spent a good 6-8 weeks really working with them on the hand over hand. We did clean up 2-3 X during our free play periods and then at each transition so they had a LOT of practice.When I have a child that refuses to clean I place a toy in his hand and lead him where the toy needs to go. Over and over until he realizes he will clean up his mess either way.
Now when I say it's time to clean up they are mostly good. If they refuse or won't, they sit until they are ready to help. They are usually ready to help within a few mins.
I really like the idea of the velcro baskets. Genius!
Meyou 08:09 AM 05-20-2014
Along with removing most of the toys I would clean up multiple times per day so that the mess is less and it becomes part of their routine that they just do and stop thinking about. I even stop them mid-play to do a quick tidy when there is too much on the floor. Anyone that is not helping gets to finish the current pickup all alone while everyone else moves on to the next task. I do a lot of suggesting to the 2's as well. "Johnny, blocks are your job! Johnny, I see more blocks! Suzy, please put away the babies! Suzy, I see lots of baby bottles around. Please find them!" They get the hang of it pretty quickly if you're consistent and clean up a lot.
School agers who refused to clean up would be doing alot of sitting and thinking and no playing at all here! That is just not acceptable.
School agers who refused to clean up would be doing alot of sitting and thinking and no playing at all here! That is just not acceptable.
NightOwl 08:13 AM 05-20-2014
Lots of times, the kids would rather take time out than clean up. Some even do things on purpose to be put in time out in order to avoid cleaning. If that's the case, always save a portion of the cleaning for them. Don't put them in time out and the other children and you do all of the cleaning. The non cleaner wins here. If you save them a section to clean, they'll see that they didn't gain anything by going to time out.
mrsp'slilpeeps 08:27 AM 05-20-2014
I also bought those foam mats with the letters and numbers and it got put away a week later because they just took them all apart and threw them all over the play room or chewed on them.
Just feeling so annoyed.
Just feeling so annoyed.
CraftyMom 08:31 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by mrsp'slilpeeps:
I also bought those foam mats with the letters and numbers and it got put away a week later because they just took them all apart and threw them all over the play room or chewed on them.
Same here. And I have foam letters that are all chewed onI also bought those foam mats with the letters and numbers and it got put away a week later because they just took them all apart and threw them all over the play room or chewed on them.
Blackcat31 08:37 AM 05-20-2014
Sometimes with the toddlers you have to physically sit in the room and tell them exactly what to clean up.
Jimmy, put the blocks here.
Sally, you get the cars and put them here.
Billy, can you get the ball and put it here.
If necessary, I will do hand over hand clean up for those kids that are just learning the clean up process.
In a group with mixed ages, I tell the older ones to clean up first and when they are 80% done, I have them go sit and then I sit and "tell" the younger ones 'exactly' what I need/want them to do.
It's also a good idea to have limited toys. Too many things out and it gets overwhelming during clean up time.
Also for toddlers, dumping is part of the learning process and something they should be allowed to do within context.
Give them bins and baskets of things they CAN dump. Make it a game, dump then clean up! Dump then clean up! Rinse and repeats.
Banning them from dumping will only create stronger desire to dump.
Jimmy, put the blocks here.
Sally, you get the cars and put them here.
Billy, can you get the ball and put it here.
If necessary, I will do hand over hand clean up for those kids that are just learning the clean up process.
In a group with mixed ages, I tell the older ones to clean up first and when they are 80% done, I have them go sit and then I sit and "tell" the younger ones 'exactly' what I need/want them to do.
It's also a good idea to have limited toys. Too many things out and it gets overwhelming during clean up time.
Also for toddlers, dumping is part of the learning process and something they should be allowed to do within context.
Give them bins and baskets of things they CAN dump. Make it a game, dump then clean up! Dump then clean up! Rinse and repeats.
Banning them from dumping will only create stronger desire to dump.
Second Home 09:08 AM 05-20-2014
If a child refuses to clean what they are done playing with they can not play with anything else . I repeat they they need to clean up before taking anything else .I always repeat one toy at a time , we need to put that away first , etc.. at least 50 times a day but it works and they very rarely have a meltdown over cleaning up.
All kids begin this routine when they start coming here , even as young as 16 months they can begin learning the routine . Yes , I guide them even make a game out of cleaning up .
If an older child refuses to clean up up plays with a toy innapropriately then they are no longer allowed to play with that toy . When they ask the next day for the same toy I explain why they can not have it , you refused to clean it up yesterday , you threw it across the room .
I also have the letter foam puzzle mats , no one takes them apart .
All kids begin this routine when they start coming here , even as young as 16 months they can begin learning the routine . Yes , I guide them even make a game out of cleaning up .
If an older child refuses to clean up up plays with a toy innapropriately then they are no longer allowed to play with that toy . When they ask the next day for the same toy I explain why they can not have it , you refused to clean it up yesterday , you threw it across the room .
I also have the letter foam puzzle mats , no one takes them apart .
Shell 09:35 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Sometimes with the toddlers you have to physically sit in the room and tell them exactly what to clean up.
Jimmy, put the blocks here.
Sally, you get the cars and put them here.
Billy, can you get the ball and put it here.
If necessary, I will do hand over hand clean up for those kids that are just learning the clean up process.
In a group with mixed ages, I tell the older ones to clean up first and when they are 80% done, I have them go sit and then I sit and "tell" the younger ones 'exactly' what I need/want them to do.
It's also a good idea to have limited toys. Too many things out and it gets overwhelming during clean up time.
Also for toddlers, dumping is part of the learning process and something they should be allowed to do within context.
Give them bins and baskets of things they CAN dump. Make it a game, dump then clean up! Dump then clean up! Rinse and repeats.
Banning them from dumping will only create stronger desire to dump.
Sometimes with the toddlers you have to physically sit in the room and tell them exactly what to clean up.
Jimmy, put the blocks here.
Sally, you get the cars and put them here.
Billy, can you get the ball and put it here.
If necessary, I will do hand over hand clean up for those kids that are just learning the clean up process.
In a group with mixed ages, I tell the older ones to clean up first and when they are 80% done, I have them go sit and then I sit and "tell" the younger ones 'exactly' what I need/want them to do.
It's also a good idea to have limited toys. Too many things out and it gets overwhelming during clean up time.
Also for toddlers, dumping is part of the learning process and something they should be allowed to do within context.
Give them bins and baskets of things they CAN dump. Make it a game, dump then clean up! Dump then clean up! Rinse and repeats.
Banning them from dumping will only create stronger desire to dump.
Agree with all of this. I also make the big clean up of the playroom right before transition to outside or exercise if it is raining or too cold. I actually downloaded the Barney song, and the kids all sing as they clean -it helps. As for the older kids, when I used to teach K and afterschool at a public school, we would flash the lights to tell the kids to stop what they are doing, and clean. I'm big on using " cues " with kids of all ages.
Leanna 10:40 AM 05-20-2014
A few things I find helpful are
1) To give each child a specific job. Derek cleans up the blocks while Anthony cleans up the dolls.
2) Mine love it when I set the timer and they try to beat the clock. They think it is a game and do really well.
3) I have the shelves and baskets labeled with photos and words so they know exactly what goes where.
4) After clean-up time tell them that they are going to be an "Inspector." Give a few kids a magnifying glass and have them go around and search for anything that didn't get put away. Lt's face it, kids love to rat each other out - we might as well use it to our advantage!
Give yourself a break for a week and put out toys with no parts or pieces. Put out only board books. Minimize how many chairs are in there (do they need chairs in the playroom at all?) and put a simple activity out on the table so they are less likely to move them around. After the week slowly put other toys back out. You could also try putting away whatever doesn't get cleaned up and if they refuse to clean up they will quickly see their choices dwindle.
1) To give each child a specific job. Derek cleans up the blocks while Anthony cleans up the dolls.
2) Mine love it when I set the timer and they try to beat the clock. They think it is a game and do really well.
3) I have the shelves and baskets labeled with photos and words so they know exactly what goes where.
4) After clean-up time tell them that they are going to be an "Inspector." Give a few kids a magnifying glass and have them go around and search for anything that didn't get put away. Lt's face it, kids love to rat each other out - we might as well use it to our advantage!
Give yourself a break for a week and put out toys with no parts or pieces. Put out only board books. Minimize how many chairs are in there (do they need chairs in the playroom at all?) and put a simple activity out on the table so they are less likely to move them around. After the week slowly put other toys back out. You could also try putting away whatever doesn't get cleaned up and if they refuse to clean up they will quickly see their choices dwindle.
Heidi 10:51 AM 05-20-2014
Honestly, Miss Peeps, after they go home tonight, clear out 90% of the toys and any furniture they climb on.
Wait till you see their faces when they arrive tomorrow to a near-empty room!
Then, have a circle time or meeting, and explain why. Once they learn to follow the class rules, they can earn things back.
Do you have your class room pics anywhere? Can you post some for ideas?
Also, have you gotten on the decor group? THere are ideas there, too!
Wait till you see their faces when they arrive tomorrow to a near-empty room!
Then, have a circle time or meeting, and explain why. Once they learn to follow the class rules, they can earn things back.
Do you have your class room pics anywhere? Can you post some for ideas?
Also, have you gotten on the decor group? THere are ideas there, too!
My3cents 11:43 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by Meyou:
Along with removing most of the toys I would clean up multiple times per day so that the mess is less and it becomes part of their routine that they just do and stop thinking about. I even stop them mid-play to do a quick tidy when there is too much on the floor. Anyone that is not helping gets to finish the current pickup all alone while everyone else moves on to the next task. I do a lot of suggesting to the 2's as well. "Johnny, blocks are your job! Johnny, I see more blocks! Suzy, please put away the babies! Suzy, I see lots of baby bottles around. Please find them!" They get the hang of it pretty quickly if you're consistent and clean up a lot.
School agers who refused to clean up would be doing alot of sitting and thinking and no playing at all here! That is just not acceptable.
This is me too....Along with removing most of the toys I would clean up multiple times per day so that the mess is less and it becomes part of their routine that they just do and stop thinking about. I even stop them mid-play to do a quick tidy when there is too much on the floor. Anyone that is not helping gets to finish the current pickup all alone while everyone else moves on to the next task. I do a lot of suggesting to the 2's as well. "Johnny, blocks are your job! Johnny, I see more blocks! Suzy, please put away the babies! Suzy, I see lots of baby bottles around. Please find them!" They get the hang of it pretty quickly if you're consistent and clean up a lot.
School agers who refused to clean up would be doing alot of sitting and thinking and no playing at all here! That is just not acceptable.
we all clean up and I suggest areas........Sue you get all the toys over there. John pick up all the books. Babies love to help, the 2's and get excited when they put something away to help. Older kids model for the little kids. Kids that don't help sit out or are left to stay and clean while we move onto other activities. Amazing how fast that non helper goes when everyone else has moved on and he can't. Non compliance- bed, usually means the child is way over tired. Doesn't happen often. I start teaching them to clean up as soon as they are able to walk. Hand over hand works well. I also use encouraging words........almost there, a few more here we need to get. Come on lets go. We can do this. We work together. I also start clean up a half hour, twenty minutes before its time to go home- if play is super good I take it on and clean it myself. We then do easy to pick up toys like puzzles while waiting for parents or a small basket of books to read at the table.
I am working on getting daycare stuff done within daycare hours so that my family time can be devoted to my family and me not back in the daycare cleaning, planning etc..
I don't let dumping of boxes happen either. They are not for playing with, they are to hold toys. I had to many being sat on and broke. I teach this early on and the older kids model this. They can play with what is in it the box, but not the box. I do have some boxes that they can play with like shape sorter types.
Took a while to get here too-
My3cents 11:46 AM 05-20-2014
Originally Posted by mrsp'slilpeeps:
I also bought those foam mats with the letters and numbers and it got put away a week later because they just took them all apart and threw them all over the play room or chewed on them.
Just feeling so annoyed.
those things stink. Even the bigger mats come apart after a while that don't have the letters and number in them. I like the shock absorb in them and warmth for playing and easy cleaning but I wish they were a solid piece instead of coming apart. I also bought those foam mats with the letters and numbers and it got put away a week later because they just took them all apart and threw them all over the play room or chewed on them.
Just feeling so annoyed.
I do have a small puzzle that they have tons of fun with connecting together that are like the foam mats but tiny compared to the mats. They have fun with that. It is something I take out, we play and then we put back.
keeked 08:32 PM 05-20-2014
I will randomly give out "prizes" (play money, stickers, coupons for tablet time and getting to sit on the head chair at the table for lunch, yes we need coupons to sit in a certain chair, it's completely ridiculous) to all the kids who helped clean up. I never announce we will have prizes if you clean up, It's totally random. Then if I have to ask any of them more than twice to help, they don't get the prize and soon they figure it out and they start cleaning when first asked. Of course, we sometimes have prizes 2 days in a row to reinforce the good behavior.
The younger 2 year olds don't always understand the prize thing, but for the most part they like to follow along and their prize is usually a mini m&m. Uh huh yep, I occasionally bribe with candy.
The younger 2 year olds don't always understand the prize thing, but for the most part they like to follow along and their prize is usually a mini m&m. Uh huh yep, I occasionally bribe with candy.
Laurel 04:56 AM 06-25-2014
I know this is an older thread but the other day my grandson (3) didn't want to pick up outside. I was sitting on the patio with his mom and he had taken out and used all the life sized waffle blocks. There were 3 next to my chair so when he wanted help I picked one up (without getting up) and said "Here, I'll help you." He really thought I was helping him so I did it with the other two. He kept saying "Thank you Gran, that is so nice of you." So then I couldn't reach any more and wasn't about to get up, lol, so I told him to hand me one. He went and got one and handed it to me and I handed it back to him and he put it away thinking I was helping. It was a hoot! He was so appreciative of the 'help' too!
My daughter and I had a good laugh later but I bet she'll use that trick again until he catches on.
Laurel
My daughter and I had a good laugh later but I bet she'll use that trick again until he catches on.
Laurel