Mopping with a Small Mop

Safety

The mop is used dry or wetted with water only; floor cleaners and disinfectants are never used by or near children.
Buckets of water are a drowning risk for toddlers: any bucket used is filled with only a small amount, the adult stays beside it, and it is emptied right after use.
Other children are kept off the wet floor until it is dry.

1
When water spills on the floor, say, 'Water on the floor. The mop takes it up.' Walk with the child to the mop.
2
Lift the mop off its hook. Hold the handle with one hand near the top and one lower down.
3
Place the mop head on the spill and push it slowly back and forth over the water. The floor becoming dry behind the mop is the point of interest.
4
Hand the child the mop and wait while they mop.
5
Touch the floor to check it is dry. Hang the mop back on its hook together, head down, so it dries.

Mop a larger area after water play, with the adult wringing out the mop in between
Mop without being shown when a spill happens
Wring the mop head in a small wringer bucket with the adult, then empty the bucket

A wet patch left on the floor shines and can be felt; the mop head feels heavy and wet when it is full.

A toddler cannot wring a mop well, so the first version uses a dry mop on a small spill. The mop head goes in the laundry at the end of the day.