I’m struggling with getting my 4-year-old to do basic things like brushing teeth and cleaning up toys. I’ve heard about using rewards or sticker charts, but I’m not sure how to start or if that’s even a good approach. Anyone have experience with this? What kinds of incentives work best for preschoolers without going overboard? Looking for practical tips that actually work in real life, not just theory. Thanks!
I remember those days! My youngest was a handful at that age. We tried a few things, but what worked best was a simple sticker chart on the fridge. Each day he brushed his teeth or cleaned up toys, he got to put a sticker on the chart. After a week of stickers, we’d do something fun together like go to the park or bake cookies.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Some days he’d refuse, and we’d just move on without making a big deal. Consistency was key. We kept at it, and after a while, he started reminding us about the stickers!
For cleaning up toys, we made it a game. We’d set a timer and see how fast we could pick everything up together. He loved trying to beat our previous time. It turned a chore into a fun challenge.
Every kid is different, so you might need to try a few approaches. The important thing is to keep it positive and be patient. It takes time, but they do catch on eventually! 
Sticker charts worked for us. One sticker for each task completed. After 10 stickers, they got to pick a small toy or activity.
We also used a timer for cleanup. Made it a race to beat the clock. Kids loved the challenge.
With our preschoolers, we found that a mix of fun and routine worked well. For teeth brushing, we got light-up toothbrushes and played their favorite songs. It became a mini dance party every night!
Cleaning up toys was trickier. We started with a ‘toy fairy’ who would come at night if the room was tidy. She’d leave a small treat or a note. The kids got excited to see what she’d bring.
We also had a ‘cleanup song’ - when it played, everyone pitched in. It signaled tidy-up time without us nagging.
These little things made the tasks more enjoyable. It took time, but now they often do these things without prompting. Patience and consistency really paid off for us.
We’ve been experimenting with turning chores into games lately. For teeth brushing, we use a fun app that plays music and shows silly animations. My kid loves trying to brush along with the characters.
For toy cleanup, we play ‘beat the clock’ - setting a timer and racing to put everything away before it goes off. It’s become a fun challenge rather than a dreaded task.
These little tweaks have made a big difference in our daily routine. The key has been finding ways to make the tasks enjoyable rather than feeling like work.
I’ve been trying different things with my 5-year-old too. We started a simple reward system for brushing teeth and picking up toys. Some days it works great, other days not so much.
I’m curious about the cleanup games you all mentioned. How did you introduce the timer idea? My kid sometimes gets overwhelmed when there are lots of toys to put away.
We’ve had some success with a bedtime routine chart. It has pictures of each step - bath, pajamas, teeth, story. My child likes checking off each item. But I wonder if it’ll lose its charm over time.
What about for bigger tasks? I’d love to start teaching about helping with laundry or setting the table. Any tips for making those interesting for a 5-year-old?