Location: indoor or outdoor

Materials: small broom or brush, dustpan, sponges, towels

You may notice your toddlers wanting to emulate everything you do. You can put this to work to your advantage while also helping them learn to take care of their space. Have cleaning materials around for them to use to help clean up messes. For example, you can keep a small broom or hand brush and dustbin near the sand table. You can keep towels or sponges nearby when you do water play. When a child is all done at a choice, encourage them to clean up before they move on.

You may still need to come in and do another round of clean up, but every bit helps.