If you can create a playroom that is well set up and has designated areas for everything, you should be able to get some semblance of order. Of course, there will be stragglers here and there. But with a few tips for creating an organized playroom, you and your kiddos should be happier with the arrangement of playtime materials.
Organization
In any room, a lack of organization and an overwhelming amount of clutter can be draining. Many people don’t realize the importance of playtime, as it is not just for fun, but a way for children to learn how to play through processes, problem-solving, and experimentation. An abundance of toys and items may cause more of a mess than an experience for play and development. Everything should have a place in the room.
Incorporation
Specifying areas for different subject matter without an overload of toys or visuals is ideal. If you organize items categorically, it will also be easier to switch out toys or learning materials when needed. Incorporating various subjects such as literacy, science, household items (a kitchen set, table, baby dolls), and math can help your child learn more during playtime. Encouraging kids’ interest in science, math, reading, or other useful and important topics brings many educational advantages to the playtime experience.
Labeling
Literacy is something that can and should be taught very early on. Young children are able to quickly absorb information. Therefore, consider labeling everything in the playroom—from the door to the table and even bins dedicated to specific toys. Include a reference photo with the written label to further assist kids with reading comprehension.
This way, your child will become familiar with lettering and can use sight words (words you know simply by looking at them) to identify things as they grow and their literary skills improve. Though organizing by color is a great start, it doesn’t promote learning like labels do.
Expectations
Though this room is dedicated to toys and play, it should have established expectations for how it is to be kept. This is a great time to teach responsibility and instill best practices for maintaining order. You can even make a sign with pictures of what the kids need to do before exiting the room.
Encouraging your child to maintain organization and order upon departure from the playroom will start with teaching the importance of cleanliness. This guidance should carry over into the rest of the home as well. You could create a sign that shows kids putting toys in bins, pushing in table chairs, turning lights off, etc. Teaching autonomy whenever possible is a win for everyone.
There are many tips for creating an organized playroom. You’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone regarding education and life lessons when you organize things in a specific way. Dedicating different areas to certain subject matters will inevitably foster learning. Additionally, ensuring every item has its own space teaches important life skills regarding responsibility and caring for our belongings.
