| If you've got young children in the house, then you're | | | | things are put away, no one will know the room |
| probably involved in the never ending battle against | | | | doubles as a playroom. Try storing toy bins and |
| toys, projects and artwork that seem to take over | | | | baskets behind cabinet doors, place a chest in front of |
| every room. While no one expects infants and | | | | a couch for storing larger items, or provide nesting |
| toddlers to pick up after themselves, young children | | | | tables that can be pulled out during the day to provide |
| can begin learning the basics of organization with a little | | | | additional surface area for games and other activities. |
| help from their parents. | | | | You might even hang a fabric curtain or place a folding |
| By implementing some of the following strategies you | | | | screen in front of an area that looks messy, even |
| can be well on your way to a more organized, | | | | when everything is in its proper place. |
| cooperative, and harmonious home life. | | | | Some families prefer to set guidelines for the level of |
| Start with the most practical room arrangement. | | | | messiness they can live with. To keep peace among |
| Whether it's the bedroom, the playroom, or | | | | the family members and help calm the nerves of the |
| somewhere else, decide which activities will take place | | | | "neatniks" in your household, you may designate certain |
| there and provide the furniture and accessories to | | | | areas as "must clean up by the end of the day", while |
| meet the needs. | | | | others don't require such stringent standards. |
| If your child has been in preschool or attends after | | | | Even as adults, we often find ourselves in the middle |
| school care, you may have noticed that classrooms | | | | of a project that requires several days to complete. If |
| are often divided into activity centers. There's usually a | | | | we had to set up and take everything apart on a daily |
| quiet area for reading and nap time, an area with | | | | basis it would waste a lot of time and take some fun |
| tables for eating, writing, arts and crafts, and puzzle | | | | out of the project. |
| work, and a special corner for imaginative play where | | | | When setting up activity zones, keep in mind the |
| kids can act out their fantasies, try out different roles, | | | | amount of noise an activity generates so you don't |
| and practice social skills. | | | | promote the conflict that could occur when the TV is |
| Create activity zones at home. If your children have | | | | next to the reading area. |
| communal play areas in addition to their private space | | | | If you have a toddler and an older child playing in the |
| or bedroom, focus different activities in each. For older | | | | same room, make sure the little one can't reach the |
| children whose toys often come with lots of very | | | | toys of the older one. |
| small parts it's especially important to keep these | | | | Keep toy containers small and lightweight enough for |
| potentially dangerous objects away from small children. | | | | easy access. Your children will feel independent and |
| Having separate play areas also gives your children | | | | gain a sense of accomplishment knowing they can get |
| the opportunity to entertain themselves, enjoy quiet | | | | what they need without your help. |
| time alone, or choose to interact with family members | | | | To make cleanup easier, label toy containers for the |
| depending on their mood. It also signals that everything | | | | school-age readers in the household. For younger |
| doesn't have to be shared. | | | | siblings go online or cut pictures from toy catalogs that |
| Since the bedroom is a place of rest and tends to be | | | | represent the type of toy that belongs in each |
| quiet, some logical activities to station there might | | | | container. Then, attach the picture to the bottom or the |
| include reading, doing homework, drawing, or writing. Be | | | | front as a reminder of what belongs there. |
| sure to provide a desk, chair and a lamp for these | | | | When it's time to clean up show your child what you |
| tasks. You may also toss a soft beanbag chair into a | | | | want them to do. In the beginning, the results may not |
| cozy nook for reading or solitary play. | | | | be perfect, but if you remain positive your child will be |
| No matter which activities you choose for your | | | | eager to please you again the next time. All human |
| available play areas, be sure to provide convenient, | | | | beings want approval so praise the results of a job |
| ample, and practical storage. Unless the toys and | | | | well done. |
| games have a place to rest when they're not in use, | | | | Try making it a fun experience by playing music or |
| you will never achieve the organized room you hope | | | | offering a reward for the fewest complaints or the |
| for. | | | | quickest completion. About 15 minutes before playtime |
| If your children play primarily in a room that's seen by | | | | is over prepare your child by telling them they'll be |
| visitors to the house, you may want your storage | | | | moving to a different activity soon. Set a timer so that |
| containers to look more like furniture, so that when | | | | you're not the bad guy when the time comes. |