This morning, he accidentally spilled his milk all over the floor in his playroom. Ugh. I decided today was the day that he could advance to cleaning up messy spills. I had created a "clean up bucket" for him and had it sitting on the counter for just the right moment. This was it! Out came the Clean Up Bucket!
The Clean Up Bucket contains a mini broom and dustpan, half used roll of paper towels, sponge, 3 colorful microfiber cloths and a spray bottle filled with 95% water and a tiny bit of non-toxic cleaning solution (enough to make bubbles in the bottle if shaken.)
He thought this was the bomb! First he cleaned up his spilled milk and then moved on to cleaning the kitchen! Ok, well, cleaning his kitchen. It was so cute! The microwave was cleaned inside and out, the window cleaned, the cabinet doors, the coffee pot, essentially the entire play kitchen got sprayed and wiped. He was having so much fun spraying and wiping, that I sent him outside to clean the mailbox! I think I might have to take advantage of this stage!
All this play and he is learning practical life skills at the same time! Now, if only I could get him to clean the real kitchen!
(update: we have been loving our Clean Up Bucket! Zayit asks for it all the time. I have learned to be patient with the excessive sprays and encouraging that he wipe up all the wet areas until they are dry. This morning he took the paper towels - first towel in hand - and walked around the house with the entire roll trailing behing him as it unrolled. It was completely adorable and so funny! Both Daddy and I were laughing out loud and running for our cameras!)
Clean up, clean up, everybody, everywhere,
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share!
I love this! And I love your play kitchen :) Is it too early to make a clean up bucket for my 14-month-old?
ReplyDeleteI would say it's never too early to have a clean up bucket! Just make sure to use water only and watch little fingers with the spray bottle. It will be too difficult for a 14 month old to squeeze, but good practice for the hand muscles. Maybe an old squeeze bottle, like from dishsoap, might work? Kids LOVE to clean up as long as you make it fun!
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