Setting Up Successful Play Spaces In Your Home

UPDATE:
Now that we are home for an extended period of time with our families, setting up spaces for our children to play or work can be very important to the family enviroment.  Our children need a safe place to work and play independently.  Make sure to limit choices available and rotate items when interest decreases.  Having all their toys available can be overwhelming and lead them to not be able to choose a toy to play with and look to you to play with them.  Allowing them to expore and play independently will create confidence, increase attention span and allow them to rely less on others to "play" with them.  Of course interacting and playing with your young children is important, however, encouraging self direction and independence are useful skills that are utilized throughout life. During this time,breaks when your child can occupy themselves, even for short periods of time, can be very important.

Below are tips on creating play spaces for your child. They can easily be adapted to any space using materials and furniture you already have at home.

Creating a play area for your child can be frustrating, but it is easier than you think. Just think of these 3   rules:

1.       Get rid of the toy box

2.       Invest in 1 or 2 sets of shelves

3.       Less is best

1. Get rid of the toy box.  Honestly they scare me.  I never know what I am going to find on the bottom and either will your child.  Keep their toys displayed so they can see them.  This leads me to our second rule, shelves.  Don’t feel like you have to get expensive shelving but do keep in mind you want them to be low enough for you child to reach the top shelf easily.   Keep their toys displayed on trays and in baskets or plastic bins.  Make sure all the pieces needed are together. This not only allows your child to see what is available but also helps develop organizational skills and orderliness.  Cleanup also becomes a much easier task.  When they are done with one toy, it goes back in the basket or on the tray and can be put right back on the shelf.  You will also want to have a comfortable area for your child to play.  A child sized table and chair or perhaps a comfy rug and pillows.  Preschool age children love to be on the floor so make sure there is a comfortable and safe area for them to explore.  The third and perhaps the most important rule is, less is best.  Our children have so many toys they do not know what to do first.  Have you ever packed a box of items to donate and your child finds a toy that they had not played with in months but now won’t put down?  Limit their choices and they will play more.  Rotate their toys when they lose interest.  Bring them back out at a later date.  Decision making leads to empowerment for your child! 

2. I am sure you are asking yourself “ what do I put on these shelves?” .  I would allow one shelf for arts and crafts:  a basket of crayons, some paper, and if age appropriate scissor and glue, stickers etc.   The second shelf could be for smaller baskets and trays.  Maybe a basket of matchbox cars, a couple of games etc.  The bottom shelves are best suited for larger items, maybe dolls and clothes or large legos and building blocks. 

3. So much can be done with a small space, which can be looked at as preferable.  Kids love to feel safe and cozy.  Make sure to watch what they are playing with so you know when it is appropriate to rotate the toys.