Spring is here, and that means it’s time for spring cleaning! By involving your child in the spring cleaning process, you can help them practice executive function strategies at home. Here are three tips to help you use spring cleaning to boost your child’s executive function.
1. Plan and Prioritize
Before you start cleaning, sit down with your child and make a plan. Which rooms will you tackle first? What needs to be done in each room? What specific task can your child help with? Making the planning process visible will help your child develop their planning and organization skills.
2. Break It Down
Cleaning an entire house can be overwhelming, so break the task down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, instead of cleaning the entire kitchen at once, break it down into smaller tasks like wiping down the counters, cleaning the appliances, and sweeping the floor. Try creating a schedule with estimates of how long each step will take. This will help your child develop their planning and time management skills.
3. Set Goals and Reward Progress
As you complete tasks, make sure to acknowledge your child’s progress and provide positive feedback. Feeling the positive effects of accomplishing tasks will help keep your children motivated.
By involving your child in the spring cleaning process, you can help them develop a range of executive function strategies that will benefit them in all areas of life. So, grab some gloves and a dustpan, and get started on your spring cleaning adventure!
- Caitlin Vanderberg, M.Ed., SMARTS Associate
SMARTS Executive Function Curriculum: smarts-ef.org
Research Institute for Learning and Development: researchild.org