You can either buy ‘toy’ household cleaning items, or what seems to be much more fun, is helping Mummy by using hers. Kids love to copy and help, all the more when they are praised for their help.

I have a dustpan and brush that just my toddler uses, this way I know it is clean, and he just loves brushing up crumbs when he’s eaten a biscuit, or thrown cereal all over the floor. This ‘game’ also helps him understand that you have to clean up if you’ve made a mess.

Of course your little helper will probably be more of a hindrance than a help, but it is fun to a toddler and does help them learn about chores around the house that have to be done,

Other chores that work well with kids ‘helping’:

• Sweeping up leaves outside. The ‘big brush’ seems too big for my ‘helper’ but he manages quite well, and insists on brushing up, even when there is nothing to sweep.
• Filling and emptying the washing machine. Folding and putting away clothes follows on from this, and can include pairing up socks, sorting clothes into a pile for each member of the family.
• Washing up. My son loves washing up his dishes after meals. OK, so I let him do this more in the summer – outside. Plastic crockery is a must as it means no breakages!
• Window cleaning. A soft cloth with no cleaner on is perfect for your little one to help keep the windows clean. With lots of praise, they will be really pleased that they have been such a big help. Do make sure the window is secure, firmly locked shut, and at ground level – shut doors are great.

• Washing the car. A favourite with my son. He just loves the bubbles, the water, ‘being grown up’ an d getting very very wet!

Never leave your child unattended while they are ‘helping’ you with chores.
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Children’s preschool games – shopping with your toddler

Shopping with young kids can be split into 3 parts.

Making your shopping list

Get a piece of paper and a pen and walk around the kitchen with your toddler.

Saying, “Do we need some more carrots?” and looking to see. If you do, put them on the list. Soon enough you will have a list to go shopping with.

My advice would be to stick to items in the fridge, freezer, store cupboard and fruit and veg. It’s not a good idea to discuss bleach and where it is kept with your toddler!

At the shops

Ask your toddler if carrots were put on the list, and where they are in the shop. You can ask how many carrots you need, and they can help put them in a bag.

While in the fruit and veg section you can see how many items they recognise or can find.

The same can be done to find ‘their favourite cereal’ or ‘which milk do you drink?’

Putting away the shopping

Once at home with the shopping you can ask where different items go. I was surprised that my son knew better than me where all the different food went.

Of course this is a game best saved for those smaller shopping trips – it could easily take hours if applied to a big shop, as well as your youngster will simply get bored lose interest if the game takes too long.

The shopping game helps with their vocabulary, memory, planning skills, and gets them more involved in shopping and makes it more fun.

You of course can reminise about when shopping didn’t take even half as long to do!

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Children’s preschool games – household chores with your toddler