Organizing Your Child’s Toys: Part Two - Sorting, Placing and Labeling
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Now that you have done the great purge (please see Part One), you are ready to move onto the next step: Sorting, Placing and Labeling.
Sorting - When thinking about how to sort your child’s toys, you must try to think about sorting them in a manner that makes sense to your child. You also have to think about what kind of a space you are working with. This job is much easier when you are dealing with an entire playroom, as the sky is the limit about how many “categories” you may have. However, when working in a smaller space, for example, your child’s room or part of a common room, this can be slightly more challenging.We use a bin system in every room that has toys for my three year old daughter.
We have sorted her toys into the following categories: kitchen toys (dishes), play food, friends (dolls and animals), Little People (and their accompanying structures), imagination box (dress up, jewellery, etc.), small toys bin (more of a miscellaneous bin for smaller items), musical instruments, train set, play dough, arts and crafts, doll clothing, tools, puzzles and books.Obviously, each child is different according to their age and interests. You may have less space to deal with, in which case you may choose to sort into two simple categories: small toys and large toys.
- Placing - When thinking about placement, your child’s age and height (along with other children in your family) should come into consideration. In an ideal world, you want their toys to be at their height or below so that they have access to them.You also must decide what kind of organization system you will be using. Will you have shelving units, a unit with slide out bins, baskets, large plastic tubs or a bookshelf or perhaps a different, more unique system all together?
Some toys are suited better for simply placing on a shelf, whereas others require a confined space like a bin or a box. Clean, large coffee cans with lids (making sure there are no sharp metal edges, of course) make great storage containers for smaller items. You can use decorative contact paper to jazz them up if you wish.If you are placing larger toy items on a shelf and you wish to have that shelf look somewhat organized, you can trace an outline of each toy using a black permanent marker to help your child remember where to place each item.
- Labeling - You are on the last stage before your child’s toys are completely organized! This hasn’t been that bad, has it?It is very helpful to label the bins, boxes and shelves where your child’s toys are placed. This will not only help you and other caregivers remember where everything goes, but it also helps to create a print rich environment for your child which will help them with their literacy skills. If your child is older, they can help you make the labels. If you are on your own, consider using your computer and possibly clip art to accompany your labels. You can also use a label maker. Photos will help young children remember where everything belongs.Fasten your labels onto the containers or shelves using clear tape or clear contact paper.
And, voila! The toys are organized.
Now, don’t expect your child to remember how this new system works. It will take a bit of consistency and assistance on your part for a week or so, but the outcome is well worth the initial effort!
LD says...
I’m still working on my organizing/purging, etc.
BUT …
We had 3 year old twins over for a playdate today. I honestly heard this statement come from my 4 year old’s mouth. “My mom taught me this fun new game. It’s called cleaning up.”
It’s a party at our house.
PS I still owe you pics, but we’re not done. We’re having too much fun.
LDs last blog post..Organized