After sorting and storing the kids toys and starting our toy rotation I came across a post over on Little Stories titled How To Rotate Toys. In Kim's post she explained sorting your toys into three types of toys: Thinking Toys, Moving Toys & Pretending Toys. It was the missing link in my toy rotation system!
Sorting Toys Into CategoriesAll early childhood settings have static toys. These are the toys that are never included in a rotation, they are always available. I like to think of these toys as the recipe base for creative play. They are open-ended and are able to be integrated with any toy put out in the rotation.
Static Toys for Creative Play Possibilities:
- Wooden blocks.
- Sand pit.
- Box of cloths of varying sizes.
- Play kitchen (doesn't have to be bought!)
- Natural objects (shells, small tree branches, leaves, stones)
- Stumps/Logs.
- Swings.
I then created a Toy Rotation Checklist. The dates are three weeks apart to allow for a three week rotation. With three kids playing with the toys in the home I decided to have four toys from each category out 'in' rotation.
In my Getting Started post I was concerned about there being enough toys for the children. If I choose toys that are of an open-ended nature and encourage imaginative play, then it is quality over quantity! Children don't need lots of toys! Choosing toys mindfully, ensuring they are open-ended, results in the limitless play possibilities for your child.Here is a blank checklist you can download for your toy rotation system.
Our Toy Rotation Checklist Blank
HomeSchool Level: Kindergarten
Strawberry 19 months, Ooffa 19 months & Chook 36 months.
Wow! This is AMAZING! Thanks so much for sharing our system. The way you've taken it, applied it to the Waldorf model and created such an organized system has blown me away. I can't wait to share!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for putting the domains into an understandable plain speak, making it so much easier to sort our toys into appropriate categories! I must read your other post where you simplify into only two categories! Thanks for stopping by and leaving such lovely feedback, it really made my day :)
DeleteAh I'm so glad you wrote this! I've been looking on some clear cut methods for toy rotation but haven't found anything simple enough (not that it's rocket science... I just wanted to be told how/when/why/what!)
ReplyDeleteThis is just what we need! I found you during the Organised Housewife 20 day challenge. Never going to be a quick job, I was waiting until I had time to do it properly, so this week it is! We've just had two birthday, so due for a toy review anyhow!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant Amie. I love getting organised and this is exactly what I needed. Thank you! Xoxo P
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