Teach Your Child Responsibility and Boost Confidence with this Simple Daily Task: Cleaning a Window

As parents, we all want our children to grow up as responsible and confident individuals. One effective way to instill these values is by giving them daily tasks that they can accomplish on their own. Not only will it teach them important life skills, but it will also boost their self-esteem and sense of achievement. In this article, we will explore one simple daily task that can help teach responsibility and boost confidence in your child – cleaning a window. Read on to learn more.

Cleaning a Window

Suitable Age: 3+

Materials: 

• The tray consists of :
  • A spray bottle (with water/vinegar)
  • A towel
  • A squeegee
  • An apron
• A mat for the floor (a boot tray)
• A piece of paper towel for water activities

Direct Aim:

• To clean a window independently

Indirect Aim:

• Refining of the muscles in the hand and arm
• Concentration
• Hand-eye coordination
• Independence
• Order of sequence

Presentation/ Child instruction: 

1. Show the child where to find the materials and invite her to take them to the window she wishes to clean. The child will need to get the mat, but tell her “We need a floor mat, but this time we need a special one for the floor.” Go with the child to show her where it is kept. Invite her to bring it to the window place it down and put the tray on top of it.
2. Once the mat and tray are at the window, indicate to the child to make a mitt using the cloth.
3. Show the child how to use the spray nozzle and spray it on the window. Then, in a circular motion, begin cleaning the window. Once you have completed some of the windows, invite the child to make a mitt and finish cleaning the window. Invite her to clean another window for as long as she would like.
4. When the child is satisfied with the outcome and wishes to stop, invite her to place the dirty towel into the laundry basket, and replace it along with the spray bottle back on the tray. She may finish tidying up and return the tray to the shelf and put the mat in its proper location.
5. Invite the child to clean a window whenever she would like.

Point of interest:

• The spray bottle, the shiny window, and doing something an adult does

Control of Error: 

• Spraying too much/too little cleaning fluid
• Unable to dry it properly (not producing a shine)
• Streaks on the window
• Forgetting to replace the cloth

>> Read more: Teach Your Child Responsibility and Boost Confidence with this Simple Daily Task: Cleaning a Table (or a Chair)