| Every child needs a special, magical place: a corner of | | | | way to avoid slipping. If your child has a lot of toys, try |
| the world (or at least the house) where he can | | | | breaking them into groups and then rotating them. Not |
| escape, have fun, and rule his tiny kingdom. And this | | | | only is this neater, it prevents a small child from |
| place is the toy room. | | | | becoming overwhelmed (and when you bring out an |
| Why You Need a Toy Room | | | | old toy that he hasnt seen in a long time, hell treat it like |
| There are many benefits to having a designated Toy | | | | its brand new!) |
| Room in the house. The first, and perhaps the most | | | | -Book shelves. Encourage a love for reading by |
| convincing argument, is that the sense of ownershipthis | | | | keeping books readily accessible. Make reading a |
| is my space, with my thingshelps develop a childs | | | | special bonding moment as wellsnuggle together to |
| security and self esteem. Just put yourself in your | | | | read aloud a favorite fairytale! |
| childs shoes. Hes smaller than everyone else, the | | | | -Table and chair. A child needs a table for writing, |
| grown ups set the rules, and the world seems like | | | | drawing, and other activities that need a bare and |
| such a big place with scary and unfamiliar things and | | | | elevated surface: putting together puzzles, crafting, |
| experiences. But the toy room becomes his sanctuary. | | | | playing with clay, or the impromptu teddy bear tea |
| He is surrounded by everything he loves, and has | | | | party. Make sure that the table and chair at the right |
| complete control over what happens within the walls | | | | height, and that he doesnt need to slouch over or arch |
| of the toy room. Does he play with the blocks or the | | | | his shoulders to reach the table. |
| ball? Will he read a book or paint? Nobody can tell him | | | | -Art easel. Drawing, painting and other creative |
| what to do. Child psychologists also believe that a toy | | | | activities encourage imagination and creativity, and help |
| room can help him become more independent, since it | | | | strengthen the hand muscles for writing. (Did you know |
| encourages him to make small but simple decisions | | | | that many pre-schoolers have trouble keeping up at |
| without mom and dad hovering over his shoulder. | | | | school just because they dont like writing?). |
| For parents, the toy room is an enclosed, designated | | | | Other optional toy room furniture are tents (for hide |
| area where they can leave the child and not worry | | | | and seek play), sleeping mats (for nap times and sleep |
| about his safety. This leaves them free to attend to | | | | overs), and clothes racks for jackets. |
| chores or get a precious half hour of me time. | | | | Classic Toys for your Toy Room |
| How to Set up a Toy Room | | | | There are traditional toys without which no toy room |
| -Make sure that the Toy Room is completely | | | | could ever be considered complete. Be sure to stock |
| child-proof, especially if you cannot see the child from | | | | up on these classicsand keep a spare copy of your |
| where you will be staying. Windows should be | | | | childs favorite toy in case it gets broken or lost! |
| securely locked (you can buy clips or window guards). | | | | Balls. If youre worried about your child throwing it |
| If you have Venetian blinds, make sure that the cords | | | | around and breaking something in the toy room, have |
| are tied well above the childs reach (they can get | | | | indoor balls that are smaller and made of light weight |
| strangled on them). Wall sockets must have plastic | | | | materials like foam. Balls develop hand eye |
| protectors. Other common hazards are: exposed | | | | coordination and are one of the few toys that are |
| cords, breakables, and sharp table corners. | | | | more fun when shared (great for play dates). |
| -Invest in a baby monitor for small children. Its best if | | | | Dolls and stuffed animals. These toys are not only |
| you can hear them if they cryjust so can quickly | | | | comforting and fun to hug, but are handy for |
| check that they havent gotten hurt. | | | | imaginative play. Why not treat your child to a beautiful |
| -Choose furniture (tables and chairs, cabinets, book | | | | doll house? |
| shelves, or coat racks) that are specifically designed | | | | Crayons, paper, and other art materials. If youre |
| for your childs age and size. They can climb on a tall | | | | worried that your child will scrawl on the walls of your |
| adults and then crash down to the floor, or slip while | | | | beautifully decorated toy room, buy special washable |
| trying to reach a book on a shelf thats too high. | | | | crayons that can be easily wiped off with water. |
| -If your childs older and able to follow instructions, give | | | | Blocks. Stack them up into cities or kingdoms. With a |
| simple toy room safety rules. Better yet, remove | | | | little imagination your child can also use them in |
| anything that would possibly cause danger beyond his | | | | conjunction with toys and dolls. |
| ability to control himself. For example, instead of saying | | | | Puzzles. These help develop logic and spatial |
| Dont run around with the sharp scissors give him | | | | reasoningnot to mention patience! Choose puzzles that |
| specially designed scissors for kids. | | | | are appropriate for your childs age and skill, since |
| Toy Room Furniture | | | | getting something too complex will only discourage him. |
| -Toy chest. Keep small toys organized and out of the | | | | |