5 things to keep in mind when putting together your child’s play area

Set up your child's play area to be the best in town!

Even if your infant baby seldom showed interest in toys, don t lose heart. All the money that you have spent on expensive toys from Hamley s, Fisher Price and all the expensive places, will not go to waste. For come toddlerhood and your child would want to play with all the toys that she has, and every toy that she sees in a store. Children start showing interest in toys after 2 years of age, and that is what you need to keep in mind when planning your child s play area.

• Child proofing: Child proofing is not just about putting child-safe locks on drawers, stoppers on doors and foam wraps on corners of the table. A toddler will do every possible thing that will definitely harm her and it is your job to keep her alive. Child proofing your child s play area will mean identifying places that she can climb to and fall from. Having sturdy chairs that your child will definitely climb on. Checking her toys for sharp objects and making sure the toy bins don t pose a hazard.
• Organisation: Depending on your child s interest, organise the toys on the basis of how often your child reaches for it. Then there will be certain toys that you wish for her to play with, because though she doesn t get it now, she will enjoy playing with those. Go the Montessori way of using little baskets, holding different toys and activities that you child can easily take and play with.
• Easy access: If it is a dedicated play room for your child, of course, all the furniture and everything should be child-sized. If it's just a corner of even a few bins, make sure it is toddler-friendly. Use stackable bins that are an amazing way of saving space and are easy for a toddler to get things from. Or you can get a small shelf made, with sections for holding different toys and crayons, that is just the perfect size for your child.
• Big containers for small toys: Small toys like miniature cars and lego pieces are a parent s worst enemy when it comes to organising and cleaning up. Pick your battles wisely and don t waste time in organising small pieces of toys. Dump it all in a big bin and let your child sort through it when she wants to play with it.
• Space for free play: The most important thing is to ensure that your child has space for free play. Keep some free space where your child can build a whole city, or an elaborate pattern with her magnetic tiles or line up all her dolls and stuffed animals for an impromptu classroom.

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