If you said to your 2yr old

[WeeClype]

"Put your toys back in your room and then you can come down the stairs"

Would they do it?

My 2 yr old DS had his toys scattered all outside his bedroom door and I kept repeating that sentence to him when he told me he wanted down the stairs. He never put one toy back! I'm trying to work out if I'm wasting my breath trying to keep the toys under control.

[elQuintoConyo]

DS is 2.4 he'd put things away if you're with him and start with a couple yourself.
He'd understand "do you want to play in the garden? Ok, let's put toys away first" type thing.
He's been climbing the stairs unaided since 1, we took down the baby gate a year ago as DH kept forgetting to close it! There haven't been any accidents and the stairs are tile, not carpet.

[poocatcherchampion]

my 2yok could and would but I would not be downstairs washing up and unable to help. washing up is not really more urgent then teaching or supervising litties imo

[HolgerDanske]

If the mess is getting to you, What I would do is get little plastic crates that have to be opened by you to keep his toys in, so you can control how many he ends up dumping all over the place at any one time. Maybe one little shelf or two where he can place things and reach them whenever he wants. This helps to contain the mess.

Also, if you work on a rota basis (so put two or three sets of toys out at a time, keep the rest in the wardrobe or whatever, then switch them every two weeks or so) he will get greater enjoyment and learning out of his toys than if he has to operate in chaos of toys strewn everywhere every day. Plus he gets to have 'new' toys quite often

[HolgerDanske]

He's too little to complete a complex task like that on his own. He also won't have the attention span for it. Tidying up is a collaborative exercise at this stage.

[hiccupgirl]

No way on this planet would my DS at 2 complied with this request! He hated being told to do anything and tidying was a particular thing he'd refuse to help with or do. Sometimes if I made a start he'd join in but often not.

He would do it now at 4 as he has learnt to be more co-operative and knows that he is expected to do what he's been asked to do.

[WrongendoftheSTIX]

Dd not dad! Stupid auto correct!

[WrongendoftheSTIX]

My dad is a little younger but the only way I cab get her to tidy up is by singing 'Tidy them away, tidy them away so we can play another day' Then she helps pack away otherwise with have 5 jigsaws on the floor at once etc.

[HolidayCriminal]

"Put your toys back in your room and then you can come down the stairs"

DC1: probably not. DC2-4 probably, depending on mood. DC3 might have found it too many instructions to follow.

[DesperatelySeekingSedatives]

Does it count if you suggest you do it together? that's how I get DS to pick up his stuff (2.10). He likes to squeal "teamwork!" and high five me after its all done. before tipping all the cars out again and running away

[BertieBotts]

DS is 5 now, my initial response was no, but then I realised you're only asking them to put them into the room, I think they possibly could.

[TheBookofRuth]

Usually, if I phrase it as "can you help mummy and put all those toys back?" She likes to help.

[hoppingmad]

Dt's would both do it but they are freaks remarkably well behaved. Ds1 & dd1 are 13 & 10 and way messier than dt's. I'm guessing we are in the calm before the storm

[ceeveebee]

My 2.5 yo DD would tidy up if I made it into a game. Her twin brother would look at me blankly and throw himself onto the floor in a tantrum.

[Hellokittycat]

My 2.6 year old would probably understand 'put those toys in that box first then you can come downstairs'
Hit and miss as to whether she would do if without a fuss though!
She can easily get up and downstairs on her own though. Haven't had gates for about 6 months now (she's the youngest) and she roams around the 3 storey house freely :-)

[Greenstone]

Oh yes that's what I mean, DD only comes down if someone is beside her. I thought you meant he was OK to come down on his own if you were downstairs already :)

[WeeClype]

My DS turned 2 in March and can come down the stairs by himself, I do have stair gates tho so there is always someone beside him incase he loses his balance.

[Greenstone]

Also sometimes DD will happily agree to doing what she's told only to forget what she's supposed to be doing en route to doing it and become distracted by something shiny.

[Greenstone]

I find with my 2.3 it really depends on tone of voice (and how tired she is). If I say it in a naggy way she will say 'no! I don't want to!' whereas if I say I in a bright cheery way or say 'help me do this' then she'll jump to it.

(Of course by bright cheery I mean fake bright cheery said through gritted teeth.)

Out of interest, can your 2 year olds come downstairs on their own? Our stairs is pretty steep, I don't think DD would be safe coming downstairs on her own.

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

I'm sure you're 100% right. Probably understands completely just rejects the very idea. Can't say I disagree tbh.

[WeeClype]

Rax you are right if I said to him he needs his jacket on to go to the park he would have no problem going to get that, he prob hates tidying up just as much as I do

[WeeClype]

Ah ok I was asking too much lol....I was downstairs doing the dishes so couldn't help him. His 10 yr old brother gave in and picked all the toys up

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

Yes 2.6yo DS would understand and do it. Simple if you do x, we can do y. Put on your coat and we'll go to the park, wash your hands and you can eat dinner etc.

[Foxred10]

No he wouldn't. DS2 is 2.5 and would just run off laughing. If I said to him 'help mummy put the toys in the basket, and then we'll go downstairs' then he would probably co-operate

[odyssey2001]

Children of that age will very rarely understand cause and effect or consequences. Our 3.3yo is only just starting to understand this and that he can make a choice. Don't expect him to understand straight away and try not to chastise him for not doing it. The whole "and then you can come down stairs" bit will probably be a step to far. Oh and don't forget to model for the first 5 to 10 times i.e. you pack away with him then bring him downstairs. He may get our just by rote learning.