Storage/Organizing and New Play Concepts

[thetoddlerwhisper]

2 things

1. how do you personally organize?ive taken over organizing the infant/toddler rooms at the center im at and am supplying most of my own organizing stuff so i need to go cheap and i have very limited space. basically redoing our whole storage system.

2 how do you introduce new toys/play concepts? im introducing several new toys this week and a part of me wants to just let them go and the other part of me wants to show proper use examples(theyre 2 yr olds)....

[MarinaVanessa]

I can't really help you with the organizing part as I just use plastic bins from target (the $8+ ones) but I really encourage you to simply introduce the new items by putting them out and letting the LO's discover them. The fun part about something new is learning about how to use it, let them try it themselves.

[Naptime yet?]

I wish I had the space to truly organize, but as it is, I'm using bins, too, & Ikea shelving. I just put new stuff out then watch the kids to make sure they don't destroy everything in the first five minutes of play; if they play "nicely" the toys stay, if not, new toys go away until a future date . I also don't have my bins labeled because the kids know where everything is, plus I occasionally have to switch stuff around (my dck are also 2).

My dream set-up comes from the pages of the Lakeshore Learning catalog. Or a giant closet where I can shut the doors & not have to see this stuff everyday

[Annalee]

2 things



2 how do you introduce new toys/play concepts? im introducing several new toys this week and a part of me wants to just let them go and the other part of me wants to show proper use examples(theyre 2 yr olds)....

I have a system where each month brings new themes, therefore changing materials/display/room arrangement....I just set it all out and allow the children to explore....it keeps all things new because after that particular month it will be an entire year before those materials come out again. I label my totes/bins so I just pull them out when I need them. Big stuff can take up loads of space so I try to stick with prop boxes cutting down on the storage problems...

[Maria2013]

I use plastic drawers, shelves and storage boxes ....as for introducing new toys, I just set them new out with the rest and let the kids discover them, doesn't take long::

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Organization- I have a big closet and I am constantly reorganizing... Right now I even have bins in my bedroom.

New concepts, bins I do introduce. "what do you think is in here?" "How do you think we could use this?" "Do you know what this is?" Like with the pizza bin I introduced the menu.. we talked about ordering. I gave then note pads and asked them what could they do with them. We talked about how to nicely play with the pizza cutter etc.

Penguin bin- "what is the white stuff in there?" Why is that with the penguins? etc

[countrymom]

as for organization, I did hours and hours of google searching. Also, it all depends on what you have.

[itlw8]

2 things

1. how do you personally organize?ive taken over organizing the infant/toddler rooms at the center im at and am supplying most of my own organizing stuff so i need to go cheap and i have very limited space. basically redoing our whole storage system.

2 how do you introduce new toys/play concepts? im introducing several new toys this week and a part of me wants to just let them go and the other part of me wants to show proper use examples(theyre 2 yr olds)....

If you do this you need to make a list with pictures of everything you take in along with the receipts. I would also put your name on it with permanent marker. WHY because if or when you leave you will want to take your huge investment with you and they will say you are stealing unless you can prove it. Plus what if they move you to a different age group . Will it go with you or will you now need to buy more for that room. Also on those records have your employer sign each page and make a copy to go in the office for their records.

[My3cents]

I wish I had the space to truly organize, but as it is, I'm using bins, too, & Ikea shelving. I just put new stuff out then watch the kids to make sure they don't destroy everything in the first five minutes of play; if they play "nicely" the toys stay, if not, new toys go away until a future date . I also don't have my bins labeled because the kids know where everything is, plus I occasionally have to switch stuff around (my dck are also 2).

My dream set-up comes from the pages of the Lakeshore Learning catalog. Or a giant closet where I can shut the doors & not have to see this stuff everyday

I think the point of labeling is too not only show where the stuff goes but to introduce words with meaning- sight recognition