Start with one category
Choose an easy group such as socks or sleepwear and show where it belongs. Demonstrate the action slowly, then let the child try without requiring a perfect fold. Use reachable drawers or bins that open easily, leaving enough room for an ordinary attempt. Secure furniture appropriately and avoid a layout that encourages climbing to complete the task.
Build the routine gradually
Use simple labels and the same category names each time. Put away a small batch together before expecting the child to handle an entire laundry basket. Praise the completed practical step without turning every imperfect placement into a correction. As the routine becomes familiar, add another category or a simple fold suited to the garment. If clothing repeatedly lands elsewhere, check whether the destination is too full, too high, or unclear. Teaching the task includes adapting the environment; independence is easier when the storage system does not demand adult-level precision to work.
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