I've been trying to teach Soren to clean up after himself for a long time. He's pretty good at picking up his blocks, putting his plate in the sink, returning books to the shelf, and organizing toys. So I felt it was time to up the ante: I've started asking him to clean up his spills.
A small cup of milk (filled less than half-way) seems like such a good idea when I'm handing it to him but it's usually a big spill waiting to happen. After making a mess, he always wants to help clean up but he just doesn't understand how. He used to get down on his knees and then spread the milk around with his fingertips. Cute, but not helpful.
I used to fret about this (should we go back to spill-proof sippy cups?) but no longer! I bought some super-absorbent towels (shamwows) that make cleaning up a snap, even for him. After he spills, I just hand him the towel and he gets down to clean it up. The cloth is so absorbent, he can clean up a whole spill by moving it over the area and it doesn't spread the liquid around. It picks it right up!
He loves how effective they are, so he wants to use them all the time. A few days ago, as I was watering the garden, he told me, "You spilled it! You spilled it everywhere!"--and then ran to the house for a towel!
My mother-in-law introduced me to these excellent towels, which I have been carrying in my diaper bag for unexpected disasters (which happen often with two boys). But they have been even more useful in teaching Soren to clean up after himself--and actually having him be effective at it!
A small cup of milk (filled less than half-way) seems like such a good idea when I'm handing it to him but it's usually a big spill waiting to happen. After making a mess, he always wants to help clean up but he just doesn't understand how. He used to get down on his knees and then spread the milk around with his fingertips. Cute, but not helpful.
I used to fret about this (should we go back to spill-proof sippy cups?) but no longer! I bought some super-absorbent towels (shamwows) that make cleaning up a snap, even for him. After he spills, I just hand him the towel and he gets down to clean it up. The cloth is so absorbent, he can clean up a whole spill by moving it over the area and it doesn't spread the liquid around. It picks it right up!
He loves how effective they are, so he wants to use them all the time. A few days ago, as I was watering the garden, he told me, "You spilled it! You spilled it everywhere!"--and then ran to the house for a towel!
My mother-in-law introduced me to these excellent towels, which I have been carrying in my diaper bag for unexpected disasters (which happen often with two boys). But they have been even more useful in teaching Soren to clean up after himself--and actually having him be effective at it!
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