Toys

I allowed them to be very creative and independent in their play – it encouraged them to use their imaginations which they did wonderfully. At the end of a morning play session, or afternoon session, we would play a game and see who could put toys away the fastest and the neatest. So they would have quite a few things out, but they would then interact with all of it in one way or another and found endless ways to amuse themselves. To this day they are excellent at amusing themselves and coming up with things to do and are also good at being on their own and doing things by themselves. I never stifled creativity and I am glad I didn’t:))

At 6 and 7, our children still are not “masters” at playtime clean-up. I definitely don’t want to stand over my children the entire time they’re playing and keep count of how many toys are out, which ones are being played with, and which are being neglected. The children play for however long they are able to stay occupied, have fun, and not argue. As soon as I can see a play period wrapping up (or if an argument ensues at any time), I say, “Ok, time to clean up now!” in a cheerful, encouraging voice.

They are then expected to do a good job of picking up and putting away whatever was taken out. At that point, toys are confiscated if not put away properly.

Yesterday, dd6 put on 3 different dress-up dresses. Sometimes she will hang one up before putting on another; sometimes she won’t. As long as the mess is cleaned up when playtime is over, I’m ok with either option. Many times the children will get one set of toys out (like PlayMobile, for example), play with those a while, then get some stuffed animals out and play with those a while. Before long, they go back to the PlayMobile and combine the toys to play with them all together. That, to me, is their imaginations at work, so I would not want to hover over them and stifle that. Just my opinion…

Blessings,

Lindsey

Our girls are 8, 6, and 4. They can get out different toys in the play room for creativity, but if they are playing say Polly Pockets then after some time decide they are done and want to play a different toy then they are expected to pick up the PPs. It makes clean up time less stressful for all. I think it helps to have a place for every toy so even a 3 year old knows where to put them when finished. And of course a 3 year old needs helpful reminders to put the play doh away before you get out puzzles. Sometimes my girls will have out every stuffed animal, blanket, book etc in the room and I reiterate at clean uptime to put everything in its place. Sometimes I say it should look better than how you found it. And they r so proud when the reorganize everything!