How to Get Your Child to Clean His Room

Does your child refuse to keep his room clean? If you've tried all the usual tactics to encourage your child to keep a clean room without success, you know how frustrating it can be. Teaching your child to keep a clean room also teaches him responsibility and pride in ownership.

Here are some suggestions that may help to motivate your child to clean his room:

1. Be a Good Example for Your Child

   How can you expect your child to keep his room clean if you fail to clean the rest of the house? By keeping your house in good order, you set a strong example for your child to follow. Get the whole family involved in the cleaning process. Turn on some upbeat music when the family is cleaning to turn it into a happy occasion. Never make the mistake of complaining about having to clean the house. This is a form of negative reinforcement.

2. Have a Designated Place for Each of Your Child's Toys

   Each toy should have its own designated place in your child's room. Spend some time showing him where each item belongs. Have him repeat back to you each toy's place so you can be sure he understands. Let him know that each toy needs to be in its established spot at the end of each day.

3. Make Cleaning a Challenging Game

   Give your child the challenge of seeing how quickly he can clean his room. Set a timer, turn on some lively music, and watch him go to work. Let him know that when he finishes, he can go outside and play.

4. Establish a Reward System

   Consider giving your child a daily allowance for cleaning his room, rather than a weekly one. Receiving a daily reinforcement if often more motivating than a weekly one. To a young child, a week can seem like an eternity and this may cause him to lose his motivation.

5. Give Your Child a Written List of Cleaning Tasks to be Done

   It's helpful if you post a list of cleaning tasks assigned to your child on a bulletin board so your child can see it on a daily basis. Encourage him to look at the list upon awakening to see what needs to be done for that day. This is a good way to help your child set goals and become more responsible.

6. Reward Your Child With Privileges As He Becomes More Responsible

   As your child shows the ability to be responsible by keeping his room clean, gradually allow him to have more privileges. Let him know that by keeping his room clean, he's earned them.

7. Don't Criticize

   Avoid making negative statements such as, "You never clean your room like I ask you" or "This room looks like a tractor trailer rolled through it". Use an upbeat, positive tone of voice and tell him how pleased you were with the job he did last time he cleaned his room.

8. Give Regular Feedback

   If your child is doing a good job keeping his room clean, let him know on a regular basis. If he isn't living up to your expectations, let him know in a positive manner how he can do better. Make sure he understands exactly what is expected of him and how to go about doing it.