Practical ideas for parents · Never Give Up Labs
My child won't tidy up: where can we start?
‘Tidy your room!’ can mean many things: sorting, picking up, moving things and deciding where each item belongs. Before looking for an app for a child who resists requests, it helps to look at the request itself. A tool can make a task clearer; it cannot guarantee cooperation.
Turn a big request into one small action
Try a specific instruction: ‘Put the toy cars in this box.’ Show what you mean and offer to start together. Once that step is done, you can decide whether there is another small action to take.
Offer a genuine choice
If both options work for you, try asking: ‘Would you rather start with the books or the blocks?’ The choice is about how to take part. Avoid presenting a threat as a choice. Naître et grandir explains the distinction in its article about offering children choices (in French).
An example to try together
- Agree on one action: putting the books back in the basket.
- Check that your child knows where they go and can reach the basket.
- Help them get started if needed.
- At the end, describe what has changed: the books are put away and the floor is clear.
- If it did not work, return to the conversation at a calmer moment.
Where does ELIKHO fit in?
In ELIKHO, this action can become a task in the child's space. Ticking it off means it has been reported as complete; a parent then approves the day before the rewards are credited. You can link a goal to a family voucher, such as choosing a game to play together.
The app organises what you have agreed together. It should not be used to compare children or negotiate every action during a conflict. You can also explore our reward and family voucher ideas.
When the difficulty goes beyond tidying
An occasional refusal does not establish a disorder. If resistance is frequent, very intense or affecting family life, speak to a healthcare professional who can help. ELIKHO is neither a diagnostic tool nor a treatment for behavioural conditions.
Further reading: Naître et grandir — Positive instructions (in French). This practical guide is written by Never Give Up Labs, the publisher of ELIKHO; it is not a professional consultation.
See an example with Margot
From the first task to parental approval and rewards: watch the ELIKHO demo.