May 30 , 2023
A Montessori method of cleaning up!
We are aware of Montessori's emphasis on order. Children are known to have a sense of order. Every activity has a place in the organized environment of a Montessori classroom.
Children are encouraged by Montessori teachers to use one activity at a time and to put away each activity when they are done with it.
As parents, we anticipate that the Montessori philosophy will encourage our kids to maintain cleanliness! In my experience as a teacher, kids find it simpler to keep the classroom organized. The Montessori method of education is kid-centered and naturally encourages order. Children are more willing to clean up after themselves in the classroom because there are clear rules and expectations.
What if I told you that even though I teach Montessori, my kids' bedrooms aren't tidy? They don't spruce up on their own. There are various causes for this, and throughout the years I've found what encourages kids to keep their rooms clean and organized.
Three causes for why kids don't clean up?
1. Are you familiar with the sense of order? One of the sensitive times Maria Montessori has noted is now. The tendency that all humans have to make meaning of their surroundings is increasingly more commonly used to explain it. It's more important to have a schedule, a sense of rhythm, and to know what comes next than it is to "tidy up after themselves" or keep their bedroom tidy.
But they will communicate that sense of order in regards to what is important to them. Sorting their small people, obsessing over their pebble collection, and snuggling with their personal teddy are just a few examples of how they display this sense of order!
Being tidy does not equate to having a sense of order!
2. Do you keep things neat?
I am pretty open about the fact that I am not a naturally neat person on my blog and in my social media accounts. My life used to be really cluttered.
I put a lot of effort into understanding my hoarding habits and being more organized. Here is a brief account of my experience.
Therefore, if you tend to be "messy and disorganized" like 50% of the parents I work with, you cannot anticipate that your children will be able to clear up on their own. Kids require role models. They will begin to associate cleaning and organizing with routine as you do it more frequently in front of them.
3. They don't observe you tidying up!
Even the most organized parent prefers to "clean" when the kids aren't around, as I've already mentioned. Have you ever sent your co-parent to take the kids to the park so you could have a good cleaning session? Do you typically finish everything during their naps? Or do you usually put away all of their toys at nighttime after they go to bed?
Stop right here and perform your best for them. I would encourage you to concentrate on taking care of the environment because Montessori focuses on teaching independence and life skills. Teach your child how to set the table, fold the laundry, empty the dishwasher, clean the windows, and do the dishes!
How to encourage kids to clean up
If you are not naturally organized, start with you and improve! Do a thorough decluttering, and try to figure out why it's so difficult for you to maintain order. If necessary, get assistance. Your kids will appreciate it!
Equally, if you are a really organized person, temper your expectations because it is just impossible to keep a spotless home when we have kids. Review your idea of what a clean house is.
Set an example for your children by keeping your home clean. Even if you have a cleaner, try to do something with them to show them how to do it.
Include them in the cleaning chores—young toddlers often enjoy doing the dishes! Don't expect them to produce excellent work if you give them child's tools. Enjoy the process with them.
Reduce the number of games and toys offered. It will be simpler to tidy up if there is less to do. Reduce the quantity of trains, Legos, and blocks by half... Those sets are notoriously challenging to keep clean, and if kids feel overwhelmed by the chore, they give up and quit cleaning up after themselves.
Make sure everything has a place. Make sure you are aware of where each toy or activity belongs and where to find it. When you first start your Montessori adventure, you might still move things around, but try to avoid major overhauls because they will disrupt their sense of order and make it difficult for them to put things back where they belong.
Make it fun by singing a cleanup song! or an absurd dance. Make noises as the animals return to their basket. Seek out what works for your child.
Wait until they are ready; when kids are engaged in intense play, it can be difficult to tell when it's time to clean up. They might still be playing even if it is time for dinner. Wait until they appear to be moving on to a new activity organically before you try to get them to put the old one back on the shelf.
Aid them! Even if they have done it a few times, don't expect them to do it consistently because it takes talent. They have the same cheat days as us.
