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The days are getting longer, which means it's spring! The change of season is a perfect time to "clean up, pick up, put away," like Daniel Tiger.
DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD | Clean Up, Pick Up (Song) | PBS KIDSHelping with household chores like spring-cleaning gives children a sense of family responsibility, says the California Preschool Curriculum Framework. It can also help them develop critical early social, civic and math skills.
As you tackle spring-cleaning, try sharing age-appropriate tasks. Watch as kids pride themselves in their work and celebrate accomplishments when each job is crossed off the list.
You can also nurture early civic skills by discussing how each family member contributes to a larger goal. Point out how every person makes a difference and has a unique role. When we highlight collaboration and teamwork, we set up lifelong civic skills.
Creating this simple family chore chart can help get your family started.
1. Trace a bowl, or another round object, using a marker onto the paper. Ask your child, "What shape did we make?" and point out the circle.
2. Using a ruler or straight edge, divide the circle into eight slices, like you would cut a pizza. Take a moment to talk with your child about division. Ask, "Do you notice how the pieces make up the whole pie?"
3. Write one age-appropriate chore on each slice. You might consider these:
4. Make name labels for each member of the family. Then, arrange them on the chart. Each day, rotate the names to different tasks.
Organizing and cleaning is also a perfect time to practice early math and make a cleaning game. Here are some ways to boost these early math skills while straightening up around the house.
"Peg + Cat" sing "Sort, Sort, Sort."Spring-cleaning might seem like a daunting task, but when we each do a small part, it all adds up!