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!

What a better time than right before school starts to reorganize your child’s play space. Whether you are the organized type or if you are slightly challenged when it comes to organization, a play space can always use a good over haul!

First things first:

PURGE!
This is a perfect time to sort through all of your child’s toys and decide which ones they are no longer interested in. This can be a step where you include your child in the process as you know that the second you donate that toy that they haven’t touched in six months, they will inquire about it.

It is very difficult for children to say goodbye to toys, however, getting rid of personal items is a part of life and now is a good time for them to start. Of course, we aren’t talking about their lovies or their favorite toys. I’m talking about all of the smaller things that accumulate over time; the ones that you don’t even know where they came from.

Let’s get started, shall we?

1. Find three good sized plastic bins. If you don’t have bins, you could use garbage bags (but it is nice to be able to see the items). I have also used little throw rugs to designate these spaces in order to outline the space for each pile. Label each bin with either: Keep, Give Away or Unsure. Another label system that is more wordy, but may help the younger children with this activity would be
   a) I play with this often
   b) I hardly play with this at all
   c) I am not sure if I’m ready to get rid of this, but I don’t use it much.
2. Item by item, help your child sort their toys into the three piles/bins. Note: You may want to start this process over for each type of toy depending on how many toys your child has.
3. At the end, put all of the items in the giveaway bin into a garbage bag, so they are no longer visible and your child will be less likely to change their mind about giving them away. Then, revisit the “Unsure” or “I am not sure if I am ready to get rid of this” pile and see if you can agree to get rid of more. If not, that is alright, however, take note of what items are in this pile and keep an eye as to whether or not they get used. Perhaps you could revisit these items in a few weeks (one by one).

Again, it is very difficult for children to part with their toys. Try explaining to them that in order to make room for new toys, it is important that you give away the ones that you are no longer interested in otherwise your house will become a place that no one enjoys living in as it will be taken over by toys.

Stay tuned for the next step: Organizing Your Child’s Toys: Part Two – Sorting, Placing and Labeling