Rotating Toys

From early on, your child’s developing brain is categorizing and making sense of the world around them. Less is more. Toy rotation means limiting the number of toys that are accessible at one time and updating or replacing the toys over a time period, not meant to increase the selection of toys, but rather by removing some and replacing them with others.

image via The Montessori Method

On a Montessori shelf:

• Toys and activities are at child eye level.

• Properly spaced out so the child can identify where to return the toy when finished.

• Toys are kept in a basket or tray (i.e. all vehicles together, a small puzzle organized on a tray, etc.) This also helps the child to move the tray or basket to a rug for use, and then put away when completed.

When you see your child’s interest has waned with a particular toy, it may be time to change or rotate out. If you have a small basket of blocks, you might change it by adding a few people figurines, to ignite a new interest in the activity. Or stash the basket of blocks away in exchange for another building game. Your child should be able to exhaust the limits of an activity, almost to the point of boredom so that they may find new ways to explore.

Rotated toys can come back out again! If you have put away a set of magnetic dolls or legos, pulling them out again in a few months time will remind your child of the familiarity and confidence of already knowing that toy and they may be in a new developmental place to explore with the material in a different way.

A few other notes:

• 6 to 8 toys/activities at a time on a shelf.

• Trays and baskets with handles will help your child move independently.

• Having an identified low table or work rug for your child will also designate a space for their “work.” *Rolling up a rug is a developmental milestone, your child may enjoy practicing.

• puzzles should not be assembled already - they should be a literal puzzle presenting a challenge.

• train tracks and large sized legos should be in a limited small number so the exploration is not too overwhelming.

Allowing your child to play independently means stepping away or moving your eyes so they do not feel the watchful attentiveness of an adult. You will stretch their ability to concentrate and focus, the less attention you give. Try to move away in small increments. The ability for your child to play without interruption will foster their independent play for the future.