Does your child tend to throw or push toys away when he/she is finished playing?  This may be because he/she does not know how to tell you he/she is “finished.”  If this is the case, using a “finished” box or basket may be helpful.

1.   Choose some type of open container big enough to hold a good-sized toy.  This might include a plastic or wicker basket, a large shoebox, a large can, etc.

2.    While your child is playing, place the container to his/her right.

3.    Each time your child finishes playing with a toy, help him/her place the toy in the “finished” container while saying, “Finished!”

4.    Eventually, stop helping your child put the toy in the container, so he/she will begin to do it by his/herself.

The goal is for your child to put the toy in the “finished” container to signify the end of the task, instead of throwing or pushing it away.

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