Toddler Play and the Benefits of Toy Rotation
Written by RaDeana Montgomery, RAM Media
As a home child care provider, it’s crucial to encourage independent play among toddlers. Independent play enhances a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. One way to facilitate this is by rotating toys, which increases their playtime and boosts creativity and problem-solving skills.
Toy rotation involves limiting the number of toys available for play at any given time. Too many toys for toddlers to play with can hinder their independent play skills. Implementing the toy rotation concept can improve their learning ability and make your home child care more efficient and organized.
So how do you achieve this?
Having a minimalist approach isn’t just for home decor; it’s also beneficial for your toddlers. Decluttering is crucial for both physical and mental well-being. The more items that take up space, the more likely they are to cause stress and anxiety for the child care provider and quite possibly, the children. Cleaning up is quicker when toys have designated spaces, and toddlers can also feel accomplished when they participate. Too many toys may leave the toddler feeling defeated. Fewer toys mean a clutter-free visual space, allowing creativity to thrive.
The first step is to take inventory of your toys. This process may be challenging, but it is crucial. When you have some free time, gather all your toys and sort them into categories such as functional and broken. Discard the broken toys or purchase new parts, and then organize the functioning toys into the following skill categories: Thinking Toys, Art Supplies, Building Toys, Musical Toys, and Pretending Toys. By organizing skills into sets, you can create weekly play strategies.
After completing this step, place the toys into bins and establish a storage system that a toddler can easily access. Whether it’s a closet or a shelf, choose what works best for your home daycare and will make cleanup time more enjoyable.
The frequency of rotating your toys is entirely your decision. However, rotating them on a specific day, like Monday, will help you remember when the last rotation occurred. During playtime, it’s best to have 9-12 toys available for toddlers to choose from. To understand their interests, keep track of which toys they prefer throughout the week. When toys are organized and easily accessible, it also allows you to set out toys, or play invitations, based on the children’s naturally occurring curiosities, wonders, and interests.
It’s essential to remember that every child is different, and it might take some time for young children to get used to playing independently and rotating toys. Try to be patient and offer gentle guidance when necessary, and remember to celebrate their progress and accomplishments as they go along.
RaDeana Montgomery is a Social Media Specialist that has over 25 years of working in Journalism, Public Relations, and Marketing. RaDeana helps businesses and organizations find strategies in marketing whether it is using digital or non-digital, strategies help businesses stay focused on their goals.