4 year old, trashing bedroom!

Nicki

It's normal childhood development to tip everything out of a box to find the one thing you are looking for. I personally don't know any 4 year olds who will then put everything back! I think the way to go is lots of labelled boxes for different categories of toys (use pics or photos as he probably can't read well enough yet) so that at least only one box gets emptied when he's looking for that toy, then help him clear up afterwards - eg by making it a sorting game or a game against the clock, not just doing it for him. Hope this works!

Lillibet_2

I saw a idea on one of the numerous "how to deal with your children" nanny programmes, sorry can't remmeber which one, but basically it was a 6YO who wouldn't tidy up, every time she refused one of her toys was taken away & put in a lidded crate in the hall. Everytime she co-operated she got a toy back. It took her about 3 days to figure out that she should tidy up! When she started tidying without prompting she got a special treat (taken swimming I think?) this then went to a sticker chart and when she tidied up every day for a week she got another treat (both parents playing football with her in the park plus an ice cream) followed by another 2 weeks & a trip to a panto etc ....you get the idea. I seem to remember it was just a case of tidying up with Mum (OK mum did most of it but 6YO had to help) twice a day, before lunch (she was allowed to keep out a maximum of 2 things she was going to carry on playing with after lunch, and again after dinner. They also used boxes with photos of things on to help her & also had a dedicated "messy" area where they had a childs table on a plastic mat for art projects etc which is great if you have the space.

My friends painted a peice of plywood with a road scene for my godsons cars, the great thing about it was it was the same size as his bed & when he was done playing with it he just slid it, cars & all, back under the bed out of sight (also made it diffculit for him to hide loads of junk under the bed & easy cleaning for mum)

HTH & good luck;) ( I have all this to come, mine is only 14 months:rolleyes:)

nearlyrich

I bought beds with sliding doors fro my two, got the junk out of sight anyway. It's not easy for a small child to get the concept of tidying, if they have too much "stuff" and it's more fun to get it out and play than put it away.

I keep my children's doors shut (even now) they can live in chaos as long as they don't have cups and glasses in there and none in the cupboards and as long as no offensive smells make their way onto the landing.

LITTLE_LISA_2

well my little boy thankfully has not been that bad but when he does try to push his luck i threaten the black bag tecnique !!! lol

Squidgy

This may sound mean, but we keep the majority of my daughters toys (she's 3) in a locked cupboard. She has some toys out downstairs and some out in her room but the rest are kept away, otherwise I have the ssame problem. I do change the toys regularly so she doesn't get bored of playing with the same thing.
I think a reward chart or some kind of treat is in order for a tidy room, but you do need to be strict. There is nothing to be gained from giving in even once!!!!

Squidgy x

Mrs_pbradley936

At four years old a child does not have the same concepts as an older child or an adult.
If you set standards that cannot possibly be achieved you will only make yourself upset.
This reminds me of someone complaining that their 3 or 4 year old keeps breaking all their toys and are very destructive. There is nothing wrong with such a child at all, they are simply in that stage of development and should be given toys that do pull apart and fit together again.

ailuro2

I tidied my 7yo girls room, then took pics so I could help remind her how nice it looked, and how easy it is to see all the book titles when the books are put away properly.

If she is faffing around I tell her I'm setting the alarm clock,will be in to hoover in 30 minutes.

Anything on the floor,or not put away propelry gets taken away and put in the bin.

Works every time;)