Kids and toys are like peanut butter and jelly—perfect together! Playing isn’t just fun; it’s crucial for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Toys help them learn motor skills, spark imagination, practice social skills, solve problems, and become more independent. But hold on—having too many toys can actually overwhelm both kids and parents.
That’s where Mandy Richardson, from Raise Early Years, comes in. With her expertise in childhood studies and over 15 years in early childhood education, she’s got some great advice on how to keep playtime quality over quantity.
Why Less Toys, Better Play: Research shows that having fewer toys actually leads to better play. When kids have fewer options, they focus more, play longer, and get super creative with what they have. This kind of play boosts their brainpower and keeps them satisfied, wanting more playtime. And guess what? It’s a win-win for parents too! Less mess and less fuss means more time for everyone to enjoy.
Practical Tips for Toy Tidying:
- Say Bye to Duplicates: No need for multiples of the same toy. Variety is the spice of playtime!
- Fix or Farewell: Broken toys are a no-go. They just frustrate kids. Out they go!
- Real World Wins: Skip the character toys and go for real-life stuff. Kids love mimicking grown-ups!
- Passive Play Power: Forget toys that do all the work. Let kids be the bosses of their play.
- Keep It Simple: Toys with too many bells and whistles? Nah. Simple is better. Open-ended toys let kids take charge of their play and learn at their own pace.
So, next time you’re drowning in toys, remember: less is more when it comes to playtime. Quality beats quantity every time!
Active or Passive? Besides being either active or passive, what other categories do various toys fall into?
Toys can be categorized into eight groups based on the play patterns they encourage, known as play schemas. Parents are advised to select toys and plan activities that support these play urges:
- Connecting: This involves joining and separating objects. Toys like blocks, puzzles, construction sets, stackers, and threading activities are great for satisfying this urge.
- Enclosing/Containment: Children explore volume and mass by putting items inside containers. Providing containers, stackable bowls, shape sorters, and items like a farm set with fences and animals can support this urge.
- Enveloping: Similar to Enclosing, but items are completely concealed by wrapping them in materials like play silks, blankets, or Russian stacking dolls.
- Orientation: Children figure out positions in space, often involving their bodies. Encouraging outdoor play and activities like running, biking, and climbing helps satisfy this urge.
- Positioning: Organizational skills are developed by lining up similar objects or creating patterns. Offering baskets of soft toys, natural items like leaves, or craft sticks and glue can support this.
- Rotation: This involves things that roll or spin, like balls, cars, spinning tops, or activities like paint marbling.
- Transporting: Children move objects from one place to another using items like buckets, wheelbarrows, doll prams, or during water and sand play.
- Trajectory: Children throw objects through space, including themselves. Soft balls, beanbags, ball runs, blowing bubbles, or providing safe jumping spots satisfy this urge.
Toy Selection for Under-Fives: What should parents consider when choosing toys for children under five?
Opt for sustainable and environmentally conscious options like wooden toys. Offer a variety of safe materials such as cloth, rubber, and stainless steel instead of just plastic.
Choose passive toys that allow children to take the lead in play. For older toddlers, focus on toys that align with their natural cognitive urges across the eight play schemas.
Besides Toy Organization: What other advice do you have for parents looking to enhance their child’s playtime?
Create an uncluttered play area with natural light, child-sized furniture, and low open baskets for easy toy access. Limit the number of toy baskets available at one time to promote focused play.
Parents should take on the role of observer rather than entertainer to encourage independent and intrinsically motivated play.
Establish a consistent playtime routine following a period of connection and when the child is well-rested and nourished.
With these strategies in mind, families can enjoy a tidy play space and promote quality play experiences for their children.