Play Spaces for Toddlers
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009
by Ursula Ansbach
mybabyfurnitureplus
Have you noticed how your toddler follows you around the house as you go about your day? No matter how you might furnish his or her room, what's interesting to a child of this age is whatever you are doing anywhere, anytime. This is how toddlers learn best: by imitating the adults around them and exploring materials on their own. It's easy to feel that toddlers get "underfoot" and slow us down. However, if you set our house up to support this natural curiosity, you will find your day running so much more smoothly.
For example, consider the laundry room. You'll be sorting clothes, measuring soap and softeners, rinsing items in the sink. Consider having a small table there for your toddler that would include a pan to contain water, some measuring cups with a little real soap to measure, and items of clothing for the child to fold and/or wash. Doll clothing or the child's own clothing could be "washed" by the child before being placed in the washer.
In the kitchen a play space could be created with another small table or by setting aside an area on the counter. This area would contain real dishes your child could play with as you wash family dishes. Perhaps plastic dishes that don't break as well as real pots and pans, bowls, real stirring spoons, ladles, scoops, etc. While you're cooking, your toddler could also "cook" as you toss a few uncooked noodles into her bowl. She could have empty noodle/rice/spaghetti boxes to cook with as well. Real items are much more fun for young children than store bought toys. Have you noticed how your child wants to use the same items that you use? Instead of steering young children away from this natural desire, let's look at the advantage of supporting it. By being allowed to play with such real items the young child learns how to actually use them. She becomes more independent and capable while becoming more familiar with the actual world around her. And it is pure fun for her as well as validating her importance.
The kitchen could also include a play space with a small sand or water table in it. Clean up would be easy because most kitchens have some type of washable floor. Sand and water tables are endlessly fascinating for young children and help them develop small motor skills as they measure with real measuring cups and spoons, or build things with the sand.
The bedroom could perhaps have a small bed with either dolls or stuffed animals in it. While you are making your own bed, your toddler could also make his doll/toy animal bed: straightening pillows or blankets.
The bathroom is of course a favorite for toddlers. How can we make it a place of learning? Dolls need washed and cleaned and why not let your child do the work herself (with a little help from you, or course)? Provide a small basin where she can wash her dolls, an extra toothbrush to brush dollies teeth, time to comb her hair and undress (which , for toddlers, is much easier than dressing) the doll.
I' m all for adult spaces in the house that are free of children's items. Perhaps the living room or dining room could be mostly adult areas. However, while it is very likely that toys spill over into these areas anyway, it will tend to happen less when play spaces are a consistent part of the child's world. He may bring toys into those adult areas but they don't need to have a permanent place therebeing returned to their assigned space when play is finished.
Children's books would be well kept wherever you keep your own books in the house, perhaps in a part of the living room or family room. The child's own room is also a good place for books. Keeping books in several places will encourage the child to read more often. Of course, the most effective way to encourage a young reader is for her to see you reading and to read together.
The child's own room would be also be a good place to locate art materials and table toys such as puzzles, small cars and trucks, small pull toys.
These are just some starter ideas. As you explore this concept together with your child you will come up with many unique and helpful ideas. Together you will see that the day will flow much more easily and smoothly as you share your home to the advantage of both adults and toddlers.
Ursula Ansbach is the owner of the online furniture store My Baby Furniture Plus, http:www.mybabyfurnitureplus.com. She is also an educator, parent, grandparent and crittermom who lives on the shores of Lake Erie with her family.
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