How To Teach Your Child to Sweep - 5 Steps

Sweeping is a great way for children to develop independence, coordination, and a sense of responsibility for caring for their environment.

And while this isn't a chore that most of us adults enjoy, it's meaningful to our children because they see us doing it.

You can introduce this skill in the toddler years once your child starts to show an interest in contributing to the care of their indoor environment.

At home, your child might show interest by:

• reaching for the broom when you're sweeping
• showing interest in the broom when not in use
• noticing crumbs on the floor

A key component to teaching your child how to sweep is a child-sized broom.

Child-sized tools fit comfortably in a child's hands, making it easier for them to use with confidence.

The right sized broom and dustpan allow them to sweep effectively while building coordination.

Click here to check out our collection of brooms,

How to Present Sweeping to a Child

1. Invite your child to sweep - keep the invitation open and positive, allowing them to observe or join when ready. Draw their attention to crumbs on the floor.
2. Demonstrate how to sweep - hold the broom with two hands and gently drag crumbs toward the dustpan.
3. Demonstrate how to position the dustpan and sweep crumbs into it
4. Demonstrate how to empty the dustpan - carry it with two hands to the compost or trash can and shake it out.
5. Return the broom and dust pan to where they are kept - this appeals to a child’s sense of order, i.e. a place for everything and everything in its place.

Tips:

• Make a square on the ground using Painter’s tape to create a "sweeping target." This gives children a clear visual cue for where to sweep the crumbs. Montessori classrooms use a sweeping guide to teach the same concept.
• Start small and work together. Invite the child to hold the dustpan while you sweep or vice versa. A child participating in practical life skills at home doesn’t mean they have to do the task independently from start to finish. Caring for the home should be a collaborative effort.

Remember that this is a skill that will be developed over time. It is unlikely that a young child will sweep the floor perfectly, but it is their interest in it that is most important.

You want to nurture their interest as much as possible to lay the foundation for their participation in these tasks as they grow.