Here are some tips that can help make it easier:

• Make an announcement. Hearing, “Five more minutes until cleanup time,” can help your child prepare to clean up.

• Be patient. Children may not be able to do chores as quickly as parents can.

• Stick around. If your child has trouble with a task, she may need guidance.

• Be positive. Mention upcoming activities—“After we clean up, we can play basketball!”

• Organize. Create logical spaces for your child’s belongings so she’ll always know where to put them.

• Have fun. Sing songs or play upbeat music. Set a timer or race to finish work.

• Prevent problems. Have your child put things away as she finishes using them rather than at the end of the day.

• Reduce chaos. Don’t make all of your child’s toys available all the time. Rotate them in and out of storage.

• Use praise. Comments like, “You’re good at organizing your CDs,” make kids feel good about helping—and want to help again.

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