What can be expected of a 4-5yo as far as cleaning?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What can be expected of a 4-5yo as far as cleaning?

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:07:23 PM EDT

Can't embed image from flickr so I'll link it.

Is this mess something that a 4yo should be able to clean or would the child need help? Not worried about folding but just putting in a drawer.

She dumped it a while ago.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/iamjonscranium/35454136126/in/dateposted/

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:10:40 PM EDT

[#1]

Able to put back in drawer, yes. Will moan and complain if they are my kids.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:16:27 PM EDT

[#2]

damn skippy!

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:16:50 PM EDT

[#3]

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damn skippy!

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Posted: 6/23/2017 8:17:50 PM EDT

[#4]

Where did you get those sheets?
Wonder if they come in King size

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:18:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Yes they can pick up and put it away. Especially if they made the mess.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:20:07 PM EDT

[#6]

Lol, getting 5 year old to clean up anything is almost impossible.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:21:20 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

She

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Yes. A boy?

*Based on my limited sample size.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:21:46 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Can't embed image from flickr so I'll link it.

Is this mess something that a 4yo should be able to clean or would the child need help? Not worried about folding but just putting in a drawer.

She dumped it a while ago.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/iamjonscranium/35454136126/in/dateposted/

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A 2yr old that can sing "bits of paper" can clean up after themselves in daycare.

Looks more like a problem parent to me, respectfully.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:22:00 PM EDT

[#9]

You misspelled "dirtying".

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:23:28 PM EDT

[#10]

She finally did it. Took over an hour. Usually it's more difficult.

My daughter was way more advanced than my son developmentally, but dammit she can make a mess, and it's a huge emotional ordeal for her to clean, even small messes. My son on the other hand is about average developmentally but cleans like a pro.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:24:52 PM EDT

[#11]

Don't expect the clothes to be folded neatly, but they can be organized into groups of like items (socks, shirts, pants, panamas) and placed into designated drawers. If it's the first time asking the child to do anything like that, guidance should be given at first. For example, "let's put the shirts here and the socks over here. Now that we have them organized, let's put the socks in this drawer here."

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:25:27 PM EDT

[#12]

They can pick up their toys and put them in the toy box. Then give them the next task. They can do it but need supervision to stay focused.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:29:32 PM EDT

[#13]

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Quoted:
A 2yr old that can sing "bits of paper" can clean up after themselves in daycare.

Looks more like a problem parent to me, respectfully.

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That's why I'm asking. Honestly though I'm at a loss how to deal with it. Mom is pretty messy too and daughter seems to be taking to it both nature and nurture-wise.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:37:03 PM EDT

[#14]

My 5 yo son is great about putting away his toys and putting his dirty clothes. Clean clothes? They might be in a drawer but that's about it. However if he threw them down I would make him give his best effort.

My 9 yo daughter? I tell her once and then let mom handle the pissing and moaning.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:39:10 PM EDT

[#15]

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Quoted:
That's why I'm asking. Honestly though I'm at a loss how to deal with it. Mom is pretty messy too and daughter seems to be taking to it both nature and nurture-wise.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
A 2yr old that can sing "bits of paper" can clean up after themselves in daycare.

Looks more like a problem parent to me, respectfully.

That's why I'm asking. Honestly though I'm at a loss how to deal with it. Mom is pretty messy too and daughter seems to be taking to it both nature and nurture-wise.

Does your daughter have any sort of daily chore list?

Daily chores like making the bed, putting away clothes, putting silverware and napkins on the table, and picking up toys can be tracked on a sticker chart with rewards for getting a certain number of stickers. The reward could be a trip to the ice cream parlor or a movie night with popcorn or whatever (not money, since most kids that age don't have a real understanding of money yet). Kids love stickers and graphs to track progress and (of course) tangible, achievable reward goals.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:49:03 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

Does your daughter have any sort of daily chore list?

Daily chores like making the bed, putting away clothes, putting silverware and napkins on the table, and picking up toys can be tracked on a sticker chart with rewards for getting a certain number of stickers. The reward could be a trip to the ice cream parlor or a movie night with popcorn or whatever (not money, since most kids that age don't have a real understanding of money yet). Kids love stickers and graphs to track progress and (of course) tangible, achievable reward goals.

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She helps set the table and has to pick up the toys in her room. She sets the table no problem but picking up toys is a big ordeal. But not really a structured daily chore list

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:50:04 PM EDT

[#17]

My 4 year old needs exact directions. If i say clean up your room, nothing will get done. If i say put all your pants in the bottom drawer it will get done, then shirts then whatever, but only 1 type of clothing at a time.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:53:33 PM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
My 4 year old needs exact directions. If i say clean up your room, nothing will get done. If i say put all your pants in the bottom drawer it will get done, then shirts then whatever, but only 1 type of clothing at a time.

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My situation goes beyond that. I can point to one item and say put it away and she'll be in a tantrum and "can't "do it.

Kindergarten starts this year, we'll see how she does. If she's fine I'll stop worrying.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:54:50 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
She helps set the table and has to pick up the toys in her room. She sets the table no problem but picking up toys is a big ordeal. But not really a structured daily chore list

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Quoted:

Quoted:

Does your daughter have any sort of daily chore list?

Daily chores like making the bed, putting away clothes, putting silverware and napkins on the table, and picking up toys can be tracked on a sticker chart with rewards for getting a certain number of stickers. The reward could be a trip to the ice cream parlor or a movie night with popcorn or whatever (not money, since most kids that age don't have a real understanding of money yet). Kids love stickers and graphs to track progress and (of course) tangible, achievable reward goals.

She helps set the table and has to pick up the toys in her room. She sets the table no problem but picking up toys is a big ordeal. But not really a structured daily chore list

Structure is good. Kids need structure, even if they act like they resent it.

Posted: 6/23/2017 8:57:58 PM EDT

[#20]

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Quoted:

Structure is good. Kids need structure, even if they act like they resent it.

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I know, but i don't control it. Wife stays home. Imo she has trouble creating structure too.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:02:58 PM EDT

[#21]

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Quoted:
My situation goes beyond that. I can point to one item and say put it away and she'll be in a tantrum and "can't "do it.

Kindergarten starts this year, we'll see how she does. If she's fine I'll stop worrying.

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That's an easy one.

"Put that toy away."

"I can't because reasons!!!!"

"Ok, fine. You put it away where it belongs, or I put it away in the trash."

*temper tantrum*

*toy goes in the trash*

"Put that toy away." *point to the next toy*

Start with toys that aren't as important or soul-crushingly difficult to throw out. She'll get the message.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:04:12 PM EDT

[#22]

My kid is two and makes a huge mess of everything, but if you tell her to clean it up, she'll clean it up. It won't be perfect, but it'll be pretty clean.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:07:28 PM EDT

[#23]

Did you pick up your room like I asked you to?

Yes.

Let's go check.

I'll check for you.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:08:56 PM EDT

[#24]

Straighten bed. Pillow in the right place.

Pick up your clothes. Dirty clothes in hamper.

Pick up your toys and put them away.

Basic cleaning up your own mess - including the bathroom.

Help with simple straightening up.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:34:50 PM EDT

[#25]

My 5 year old would pick that up in about 10 min. Maybe 2 mon of bitching and moaning. At 4 probably not.

The trash can works wonders but just have to follow through with it

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:39:40 PM EDT

[#26]

I managed to get my 2 year old to police up the sticks in the back yard before I mowed. Careful balancing act of pretending to have the best time of my life throwing the sticks into a corner of the yard and pretending I didn't really want him to do the same.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:41:35 PM EDT

[#27]

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Quoted:
I managed to get my 2 year old to police up the sticks in the back yard before I mowed. Careful balancing act of pretending to have the best time of my life throwing the sticks into a corner of the yard and pretending I didn't really want him to do the same.

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I shall call you Tom Sawyer.

Posted: 6/23/2017 9:45:14 PM EDT

[#28]

My daughter is 19 now, but when she was young from 4 years old up we would watch a barney episode that had a song in it she and I memorized "clean up clean up everybody does their share". That's all I can remember of the lyrics. I hate barney, but it worked for my kid. I would have to sing it sometimes to get her into gear. Now she laughs and sings it at me when I make a mess. She knows I would clean up, but its a back and fourth we have. lol