Kids and Cleaning

My mother-in-law had a great idea for getting kids to clean their rooms throughout the year. She suggested hiding cut-outs of holiday shapes and hiding them throughout the room. As kids clean, they find the holiday cut-outs throughout the room. Some of the holiday cut-outs might have prizes (a cookie, an extra 15 minutes of TV time, or a special date with Dad) on the back of the shapes.

January - snowmen, February - hearts, March - shamrocks, April - Easter eggs or bunnies, May - flowers, June - flags, July - fireworks, August - school, September - books, October - pumpkins or leaves, November - turkeys or Pilgrims, December - Christmas trees, Santas, presents, candy canes.

You could use this in your own classroom, or share it with parents of young children as a way to encourage families to set healthy boundaries and expectations with children.