Control chaos without putting a lid on creativity through easy organizational methods. We all know what a typical preschool looks like even if you opt out of enrolling. Remember that the method of designating spaces for kitchen play and dress-up, construction, and reading can be copied for the home. Aside from regaining order, there is a financial benefit to having special sections for toys as well. When you are able to clearly see what toys your child has, and what they play with, it is less tempting to bring more stuff home.
Reading zone: This can be as simple as placing an over-sized cushion on the floor with a handful of throw pillows. Set up a small book case or place a basket nearby with a rotating selection of books. If you have more room available, set up a curtain or sturdy room divider for privacy and hang twinkling lights for atmosphere. Keep this area interesting without being overwhelming by choosing books according to a theme.
Dress-up corner Instead of shoving all the costume items into a toy box along with toy cars and dolls; consider creating a special section just for dress-up. Hang a shatterproof mirror on the wall along with a peg board. All the hats, tool belts, bandanas, and princess costumes can be tossed on a hook while all the other props can be placed in a bin. A private changing room is a nice touch. This could be another small room divider or curtain, or set this section up near a door for a quick temporary changing area.
Kitchen corner Girls and boys are often drawn to a play kitchen. Look into buying a new or used kitchen set and start stocking the shelves with empty, sealed boxes and containers from your kitchen, play food and small pots and pans. This is often a play area that is designated just because of the size of the toys, but you can go a step further and set a small table nearby with chairs. Adding supplies to make menus and hanging an apron or chef hat is another nice touch.
Building material The favorite area in my kindergarten class was always the blocks and cars section. This area needs room to expand. Blocks, cars, Legos and train sets are more fun to play with when they are contained. One way to control the sometimes overwhelming amount of small pieces is to set up bins. If your bins have lids they are easy to stack. This means they can be stored in a closet or have a few sent up to the attic from time to time. We rotate the blocks and the train set and only pull out Legos when everything else is picked up and put away.
Art table Having a designated place to sit and draw makes it more appealing. Instead of pulling the coloring books and crayons to the dining room table, she could sit quietly in a chair that is her size and relax. A couple of bins under the table can hold simple supplies such as paper and crayons, child-safe scissors, a glue stick and other interesting material. Keep anything overly messy up high to avoid arguments and disasters.
Finally, to keep the area coherent and fun, you can hang a chalk board, felt board or puppet stage. If you have an actual playroom, this method is simple. Fill the space section by section. My small home does not have a playroom so to speak, instead I use the following to avoid a mass of toy confusion in a single corner.
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