We have all heard or read about this phrase somewhere; ‘There is a place for everything, and everything in its place’. This essentially means one needs to stay organized by having a place for storing things neatly and the items should be kept back in their place after using them.
But how do you drill this practice down to a messy toddler or a preschooler? When play and fun is all that they know, can parents and educators inculcate a habit of staying organized at the brink of their schooling journey? Well, the answer is certainly assertive.
So, let’s catch them young and teach children the importance of de-cluttering the clutter.
First, let us look at some benefits of keeping toys organized
Neat & Tidy Space
Obviously, no one would appreciate walking into a room full of toys lying on the floor and shriek at the agony of having to clean the room for the third time in a day! A visually neat and tidy space is a pleasing sight and less stressful to deal with.
Avoids Piling
If today’s mess is left unattended, tomorrow it will be a bigger mess! Toys left all over the place build up, and before you know it, the room will have a stack of toys, as tall as the Eiffel Tower. To avoid this last-minute panic rescue operation, parents must ensure that toddlers put back toys to where they belong every single day.
Opportunity to Take Account of Toys
When you glance at an organized toy bin, you would discover that there are a bunch of toys that your child isn’t really fond of and doesn’t choose to play with them. The unwanted toys simply occupy space and there may be no room left for new toys. So, take the opportunity to pass on unused or old toys to a neighbor or donate them to a charity organization.
Teach Kids to Keep Things Organized
We have seen the benefits of organizing stuff, now let us enlighten our kids on the same.
Prepare for proper Storage Arrangements
It’s important to make proper provisions and have storage arrangements made. Also, the storage containers must be placed at the child’s level, so that they can easily reach out for their toys. Some ideas for creating storage spaces include:
- Opt for storage bins or tubs made of recyclable plastic with a lid cover to keep toys safe and protect them from dirt. Don’t forget to label the bin and have each one segregated as per the materials; art & craft, soft toys, blocks, math toys, puzzles, etc.
- A toy rack is another great way of keeping things organized. Choose a rack that is not too tall or your kiddos won’t be able to reach the topmost shelf. Racks also add a style statement in your child’s bedroom, as they not only serve the purpose but look stunning.
- Kids’ junior bookshelves are available with pockets to sort books and display them for students to choose a title of their choice. Place the shelf in the corner of the room, and call it the reading corner.
Teach kids how to organize toys
Though you have made provisions for racks and shelves, the child wouldn’t know where to place what toy. Initially, you will have to do the drill yourself and show them what goes where. This might take some time, but be patient! Also, if your child hasn’t come to the stage of reading, it is better to label storage bins by sticking a picture of the ‘toy category’ to represent what sorts of toys are to be placed in the box.
Playing with Legos
Children love to play with Legos. The popularity of Legos in Dubai and across the Middle East compels every household to mandatorily purchase Lego kits for their emerging learners. These toys have proved to be a great source of recreation and of educational value to kids. They understand the importance of organized-play and hence provide special color-coded storage trays along with their LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Set, so that there is no chance to lose any of the important components such as; sensors, motors, and bricks, etc. Even the compartments are labelled to accommodate pieces of the same categories together. Once re-packed in the box, the entire LEGO® Education kit can then be stored on a shelf under the educative toys section. To learn more about LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime Set and to get your hands on the latest kits anywhere in UAE or GCC regions, visit our website: https://shop.knowledge-hub.com/
Appreciate Efforts
Praise children for their efforts and keep them motivated. Slowly kids learn to be organized even with their studies and day-to-day activities at an early age, thereby readying them for life at school and beyond. Don’t expect perfection, as they are bound to make mistakes. Correct mistakes, and help them gradually improve their organization skills.
