Are you struggling to help your children to play?
The easiest way to freshen up your play space is to simply change how you’re displaying your toys!
It really is magic how simply changing how your toys are presented can change how children interact with them.
Below I have listed some examples to give you some ideas to try in your own home.
1. Instead of keeping blocks in the tray tip them into a bag or open basket.
The Grimm's Building Sets like the Large Stepped Pyramid are mostly sold in trays. They look beautiful all packed away perfectly inside but it is also like a puzzle that may look complete. Try putting some or all of the pieces into a basket and see if your child enjoys it. You don't have to do it all the time but it is a great way to inspire more play!
2. Instead of leaving resources stacked together in the same position take them apart and build something with them.
Toys like the Grimm's Large Rainbow are often seen displayed on the shelf together like the first image. It's simple to change how you stack the rainbow to inspire new play. Here it is stacked with the Semi Circles but you could also take out every second arch, put out only half the pieces, lay them on their own upside down along a shelf or on the floor, stack the arches on top of each other, make a tunnel for some cars... There's so many ways, why not pick a couple to try?
3. Instead of keeping board games in it's box take the pieces out and display them in a bowl or tray.
We often keep at least one game out on the shelf as an activity. Often you can change the way games are played and adapt them to be a quiet activity or single player game like Buildzi. Here I put out two sets of the pieces with some cards and my children were quick to challenge themselves and make some stacks.
4. Instead of keeping puzzles made up on the shelf take the pieces out of the base and put them in a bowl beside it.
Seeing a puzzle finished on the shelf isn't much fun... When children see a puzzle that isn't put together they are much more likely to take interest and 'fix it' by completing the puzzle themselves.
5. Instead of keeping toys hidden in draws or cupboards rotate what is out and display some of them on a shelf.
I know its nice to keep everything packed away and tidy but children are much more likely to gravitiate to things that out out to be seen at their level. It's okay if you don't have much room, pick just one or two activities to display and change them every few days or weeks depending on how your child is engaging with them.
6. Instead of having toys behind closed doors or in containers keep resources on an open shelf where they can be seen.
Here's a few tips when it comes to rotating your playspace:
1. Plan ahead, think about what your child is interested in and also areas they may need to develop. For example if they are enjoying playdough but need to work on scissor skills include cutting tools with playdough set out in a basket.
2. Take everything off your playspace shelving. Start with a clean slate. Anything that they are still enjoying, consider putting it back in a different location to inspire new play.
3. Fill in your spaces with different resources from your storage area. Make sure your choices are consistent with your child's interests or schemas and maybe even consider a theme such as sea life.
If you'd like some more guidance as to where to start with Toy Rotation I'd reccommend reading another blog When and How to Rotate Your Play Space. It goes into more detail about how to know when it is time to rotate your playspace
7. Instead of having all of your toys in your play space keep it simple and easy to tidy by rotating your toys. Keep extra resources in another space and change them every couple of weeks.
Toy rotation improves concentration and helps to develop a child’s focus, creating a longer attention span. Less is more and toy rotation helps avoid clutter. You’ll also find that your children will be engaged in more meaningful and focused play.
It also fosters creativity as they need to find new ways to use the same toys when they start to get bored. Don’t worry - boredom is good for them, it helps build their imagination and creative skills.
No matter how messy it gets in our playspace it can all be packed away in less than 5 minutes!
If you'd like to know more about Toy Rotation I'd reccomend having a read of another blog I've written, Why I started Toy Rotation and it's Benefits.
I hope these simple tips are useful in inspiring some more play in your home!
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send a message, I'm always happy to help :)
Written by Alison Barnhill