Encouraging Cleanliness and Domesticity in Kids

Many adults don't know or realize that children are naturally industrious hard workers. When I was between the ages of like 3 and 8, I always wanted to help my mother with the cooking, the dishes and whatever she was doing. She gave me a few small chores like folding socks and washcloths. Sometimes she'd let me help with cooking the food and of course I had to clean my room. But everything else I was too little for. Later on around the age of I think 10 or so she came with the chores. I mean everything dusting, cleaning bathrooms, folding all types of clothes of my family's I'd never seen before and by then all I cared about was 'Right On,' magazine; talking on the telephone; clothes; music on the radio; and school gossip. Chores were not something I cared for or ever wanted to do. And it continued like that into most my adult life until I decided to change the attitude and behavior for myself.

When I became older I started working with children as a substitute teacher for all ages and a pre-school teacher. I studied and took a good few courses in children's education. One thing that I learned is that children have a natural instinct for chores at a very young age. And, if that instinct is not nurtured; it will not really be something the child has unless the child chooses at an older age to be clean purposely for their own reasons. Many parents do not know this. Now the child may follow the rules of the house until age 18; but, when he/she leaves the nest; you will see evidence of how the child truly feels about cleanliness. If the instinct is nurtured; the parent will have an easier time asking chores of the child at an older age because they won't feel like chores to the child-just something he/she does and the child will also be a cleaner more organized adult.

This made a lot of sense to me as I remember my own childhood desire to clean and help. And as I worked with the smaller children from like ages 2-7 they always wanted to help. Miss Cece can I help you do this and that? Anything I lifted my finger to do they were always right at my skirt hem.

So How Do You Nurture Cleanliness and Domesticity in A Child?:

Now there are plenty of chemicals and things that your child should never go near. I understand this. But there are simple ways to nurture this industrial spirit in your child.

Buy a clean empty spray bottle from your local dollar store and fill it with water and white vinegar. Now of course your child should be supervised at all times and should never be allowed to drink this or put his/her hands in the mouth or eyes while using this. But, while supervised; you can allow your child to spray tables, bathroom and kitchen surfaces with this and wipe them off with a paper towel. It's pretty safe.

Buy a bunch of junk clothes from the thrift store or the cheap store. Wash them and give your child a clothes basket. Every week when you do laundry; let them fold their laundry however they want so they can mimic you and learn and feel productive. Swiffers make very good dusters in general and a child can dust a little with a Swiffer without too much dust kicking up because most of the dust attaches to the cloth. The child will really feel like they're getting something done with a Swiffer type cloth. Of course children should help as much as possible and safe with stirring food and setting the table. They should also be made to wash their hands before and after preparing food and they can also prepare appetizers a few nights a week for the family. Crackers topped with cheeses and meats. Vegetables and dip. These are simple things that will include your child in the cleaning and domesticity they crave being a part of. Sweeping is another activity that is fun and productive for kids.

Just make sure all activities are supervised and that you remember to praise your child for a job well done!