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 It starts with the adult picking up everything. It is even better when the child watches as the adult picks up toys. Next, the children imitate, joining in and picking up a few toys. Thank your child cheerfully when he or she does so! It progresses to the child doing most of the pick-up, with the adult helping. Following this level of progress, the child cleans up as he or she finishes an activity, with verbal guidance from the parents. Finally, the ideal situation is when the child cleans up independently. However, this is never going to happen 100% of the time!
It is the adult's job to provide a manageable number of toys, each with a special place: a shelf, basket, tray, or box. If you have never been one for "a place for everything and everything in its place," now is the time! You must learn this for the good of your child!
Put two-thirds of your family's toys in storage out of the child's reach. You should be able to get to these toys easily so you can pull out something interesting when you want to occupy your child. This is how you can take a shower or make a phone call in relative peace.
Store away toys that aren't getting much use. When the toy reappears in a month or two, it is like new to the child. Give away toys that your child doesn't use with concentration, or that he/she has outgrown. Give away anything that has an unpleasant sound or appearance, or that inspires loud or violent behavior (the television?).
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