How to Get Your Child to Clean His Room Using Intrinsic Motivation

You probably like your child̵7;s room to look neat and tidy with toys and clothing put away properly, but chances are he doesn̵7;t feel quite so strongly about it. You could nag or bribe him to clean his room. This type of motivation often creates a situation where you produce the incentive to clean, which might not serve anyone well in the long term. Instead, try creating an environment of intrinsic motivation where your youngster feels internal drive to perform.

Instructions

    • 1

      Talk to your child about the benefits of a clean room to help him understand the importance of room maintenance. Explaining benefits helps create motivation, suggests child psychologist Louise Porter. You might mention benefits such as finding items quickly and easily, keeping toys in good condition, having clean clothes when he wants them, looking tidy because he keeps his clothes neat in his closet and dresser, and being able to enjoy time in his room more because it̵7;s tidy.

    • 2

      Ask your youngster if she can think of any other benefits you haven̵7;t mentioned. She might surprise you with her thought process and ideas. If she has ideas, discuss them with her to encourage her motivation.

    • 3

      Use natural consequences with your child for times when he doesn̵7;t keep his room clean. For example, if he leaves dirty clothes in piles on the floor instead of placing them in the hamper, he won̵7;t have clean clothes to wear. Also, if he doesn̵7;t take care of his toys, he may misplace them or they could break. Natural consequences can be an effective teaching method that doesn̵7;t require punitive discipline from parents, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren.org website.

    • 4

      Provide positive feedback and praise when you see your child keeping her room neat. You might say, ̶0;It̵7;s nice to walk into your room and see your clothes put away, your bed made and your toys cleaned up. I can see you̵7;ve been working hard in here. Is it nicer to hang out in a clean room?̶1;

    • 5

      Resist the urge to offer external rewards or bonuses to your child for cleaning his room. External rewards might interfere with natural motivation, cautions the National Association of School Psychologists.

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