Experience your house on their level. Get down on your knees to see what your environment is like for your kids. Can you get to everything you need? If you can't, chances are your kids can't either.
Invite them to help with household chores. Sometimes all that children need to hear is that you want and appreciate their help. And sometimes they'll still say no, but keep presenting the opportunity, eventually you might get a yes or even better, they help without you asking.
Kid-safe cleaning caddy. Kid-safe is different in every household so do what's comfortable for you. In our house the caddy is located under the kitchen sink. Yes, it's with all our other cleaning solutions and yes, my mom thinks we're crazy, but it works for us. Having the caddy there keeps cleaning stuff organized and in one place, the kids feel proud in our confidence to allow them to have it with the adult stuff. Sure, it took some training to keep them out of the other stuff, but once they understood that the caddy was for them and accessible whenever they need it, they stay out of all the other stuff. The caddy has watered down all purpose spray and watered down glass cleaner, wet and dry dusting cloths, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and soft bristled brushes.
Child size materials
Laundry basket: baskets from the dollar store work great! My 18 month old loves to empty clean laundry from the washer and transfer to the dryer. A basket that's her size makes it easier for her to reach into the machine and move the basket over when needed. She will also take the basket full of her folded laundry and put away in her dresser (though it usually ends up getting unfolded along the way 🤣).
Swiffer: remove the middle pole extension piece and viola! You're Swiffer is toddler sized! They love using real cleaning equipment when it's just the right size.
Vacuum: my kids LOVE vacuuming. No joke, the thing that pushed my daughter to start walking was so that she could push the vacuum! On our model it's easy to adjust to toddler height. We just click the handle into the head and the canister goes in it's wheely cart. The only downside is that my kids will take the vacuum out before it is even 7 am 😳
Organize dressers/closets with them in mind. When I'm organizing my dresser, socks and underwear go in a top drawer so they're easily accessible, but with kids it's the opposite. Bottom drawers are more accessible so put the most important things at the bottom.
Stickers in shoes. Want to help your child put their shoes on the right feet every time by themselves? Use this super easy hack! Cut a sticker in half, place the right side of the sticker in the right shoe and the left side of the sticker in the left shoe.
Cups, plates, bowls, utensils at their level. Remember organizing their dresser? Do the same thing in the kitchen! If they can easily access what they need, they'll be more inclined to independently make snacks or even empty the dishwasher. We have a drawer with all the kids stuff in it. We find it makes it easier for them to put things away without having to worry that everything is put back exactly right. An easy task for our 4 year old, but the 2 year old tends to just open the drawer and shove stuff in.
Help with cooking and baking. So many important life skills can be taught in the kitchen! Importance of washing hands and food, cross contamination, cutting, chopping, measurements, and fractions! The best part is your kids won't know they're learning because they're having too much fun. Have a food that your kiddo won't try? Have them help you prepare it! More often than not, they'll want to try what they've made.
Offer choices. Choices give your little the feeling of independence, but you get to control the outcome.
Never help a child with a task they feel they can succeed at. Struggle is part of the learning process. If your child is trying to do something, let them struggle, let them fail, learn from their mistakes, and try again! This whole process is integral to learning and self esteem. Offer help or suggestions, but don't just swoop in to the rescue. Offering help or suggestions tells your little that you see them, they're doing great, but if they want a little help, you're there to support them.
