I thought I was pretty organized. Basket for easy clean up. Books within reach. Everything contained in one place in the living area.
Then she started to pull all the books off the shelf, emptying the baskets, became overwhelmed with choice and appeared to want to play with everything at once. Enter Montessori-like theory on toy organization and the REORG.
Then she started to pull all the books off the shelf, emptying the baskets, became overwhelmed with choice and appeared to want to play with everything at once. Enter Montessori-like theory on toy organization and the REORG.
Not a dramatic change but things to note
All toys within her reach - I did have toys on the top shelf but she coun't access them which mean more work for me when she wanted something up there. Now she can get to all of it.
Toy organized by theme- the top left 2 puzzles at a time (previously there were as many as 6 out), middle top board books she loves for independent "reading" (bunny hold them there), right top Tupperware and stacking cups, bottom left musically instruments, middle bottom wooden toys (pull toy, some blocks, stacking tower, and wooden bus), bottom left stuffed animals, one ball, and one electronic music maker. I maintain this system to eventually assist her in putting them back.
The activity cube within reach- it's ready to pull out if she shows interest
Book basket- I went through the books and kept good age appropriate read alouds for the basket. Only about 1/4 of the original books are now out
Child sized chair - it's hard to see but she is sitting in a small chair looking at a book. The chair is positioned next to the toys. It is actually a portable high chair we used for snack but she can get in and out herself and it is one of her favorite imaginary play toys. She puts her stuffies in there all the time.
Swop it out- All of her other toys are in one of 3 places. Under her bed waiting to be swopped out in a few weeks when she seems bored, in toy baskets in the kitchen which remains there for dinner time prep play. Or, her bedroom basket which holds toys for times when I am in there putting away laundry or as quiet play before bed time. See pic below of these baskets.
All toys within her reach - I did have toys on the top shelf but she coun't access them which mean more work for me when she wanted something up there. Now she can get to all of it.
Toy organized by theme- the top left 2 puzzles at a time (previously there were as many as 6 out), middle top board books she loves for independent "reading" (bunny hold them there), right top Tupperware and stacking cups, bottom left musically instruments, middle bottom wooden toys (pull toy, some blocks, stacking tower, and wooden bus), bottom left stuffed animals, one ball, and one electronic music maker. I maintain this system to eventually assist her in putting them back.
The activity cube within reach- it's ready to pull out if she shows interest
Book basket- I went through the books and kept good age appropriate read alouds for the basket. Only about 1/4 of the original books are now out
Child sized chair - it's hard to see but she is sitting in a small chair looking at a book. The chair is positioned next to the toys. It is actually a portable high chair we used for snack but she can get in and out herself and it is one of her favorite imaginary play toys. She puts her stuffies in there all the time.
Swop it out- All of her other toys are in one of 3 places. Under her bed waiting to be swopped out in a few weeks when she seems bored, in toy baskets in the kitchen which remains there for dinner time prep play. Or, her bedroom basket which holds toys for times when I am in there putting away laundry or as quiet play before bed time. See pic below of these baskets.
Most exciting she is playing for longer periods and showing more focus. Also she is trying to put her toys away for the first time!