Refuse to pick up and downright disrespect

[Ariana]

What works for me is making it fun. I usually entice them with some sort of game after. An obstacle course, hide the beanbag..literally anything get them excited. I don't tell them what the game is only that there will be a game and only those that helped will get to play. At least one kid will help and you give lots of praise and then play the super fun game with that one kid, refusing anyone else that didn't help. There will be tantrums and crying which is perfect! The next day everyone will help. Once you have a couple of games they enjoy you can then challenge them that whoever cleans up the most or the best gets to pick the game you play. I try to give everyone a turn if they are all trying their best!

We also sometimes play "clean up robots". Everyone has to pretend to be a robot and I am also pretending to be a robot and everyone gets a special robot job to do. It's hilarious as I am speaking to them in a robot voice ::

This is what has worked for me!

[Josiegirl]

I like this idea. Filing away for future reference.

Me too Thanks!

[debbiedoeszip]

I tell the children that if I have to tidy the toys up then they are being put away in the laundry room (off limits).

Dcb 2.5 has started saying "I can't" when it comes to doing things he doesn't want to do. I tell him "Here, let me help you." and do the hand over hand thing. "See, you CAN do it. Good boy!".

[Unregistered]

I'd set up expectations each and every morning to the group before free play begins or as each child arrives stating consequences ......refusal to pick up results in table time options only.

I've talked with the group about jobs and their importance. What would happen if all the toys were on the floor? What would they play if all the toys were gone? What other jobs do they have
( hang up coats, put on shoes, push in chair )? what jobs do I have? Their parents? What would happen if the garbage collectors didn't come get the garbage? Big conversation! Etc.

I have a pair of kid's binoculars ( or make your hands into binoculars) and as they pick up I say, "I see Lilly picking up. I see Silas picking up."
This helps a lot but at times doesn't motivate a particular child!

I have a sticker chart which I feel has more value than just the reward. I have names in one column so each child ends up with a row of stickers at the end of two weeks or so ( I cut the strips apart and send the home). They love to decide which sticker, they learn to read their name and friend's names, they come up with a friend and talk about the stickers, they count stickers, they compare length, etc! And yes, there's been times when the stickers didn't motivate a child on a certain day but when they didn't get one they were ready to pick up the next day!

I have a CD with a great clean up song on it. Kathy Poelker


If I have a child that refuses to pick up I leave the toys he/she was playing with set aside and child can not play during next free choice play until they are picked up. i say come pick up your toys or just watch during play time...its your choice! And yes, I've left them overnight!

If a child won't pick up its table toy choices only. If table toys became a problem where a child got them out and not put them away
I'd then explain I will be one choosing one table toy at a time for him/her.

If they were all refusing to pick up I'd think about the rug option. Each child has a small throw rug. That's their play area and they choose one bin at a time and take it to their rug and can't get another till they put that bin away.

I love the line up chairs and make a game out of clean up! I'll use that too!