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How will I get my child to use the toy chest?

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An organization system is only as good as those who use it, so it pays to teach your children to store their toys properly in the toy chest. When they’re done with a particular activity or at the end of the day, encourage your children to pick up and put away their toys so someone doesn’t trip or fall on them. Small, plastic boxes with lids within the toy chest can help contain items with dozens of small pieces, such as puzzles, blocks, or Lego’s. You might find it helpful to keep an attractive, grown-up-looking toy box in the family room in addition to ones in the child’s bedroom or play area.

Work with your children while they are young so they get into the habit of storing toys every night—just like taking a bath or brushing their teeth. It’s important to set reasonable expectations. Your child may not be at an age to do things the way you like them done. Think of each clean-up session as an opportunity for your child to learn.

Here are some suggestions on how to make picking up toys quicker, more fun, and perhaps, your child will even learn something while you’re at it!

Streamline clean-up with a little pre-planning. Before your child dumps out every Lego onto the floor, lay down a bed sheet so that when he is through, you can pour the tiny pieces into the appropriate container.
Make tags for containers so your child learns where his toys go. Take a photo of the item or cut a picture of the toy from its box or out of a magazine and tape it to the container where you want the toy stored.
Break the task into manageable steps. Instead of saying, “pick up your toys,” suggest that your child put all the doll clothes in the bag or line up the books strewn on the floor in the bookcase.
Make clean-up time family time. Set a time (for example, after dinner) and ask each family member to pick up and put away five misplaced items. This is also an opportunity for you to check toys to ensure that they are safe and in working order.
Make a game out of it. Set a kitchen timer and see who can put away their toys before it buzzes. Or play an identification game by saying, “I see something round and blue.” Your child must then find the correct toy and put it away.
Designate a lost-and-found container in the child’s room for stray toys and parts. Once a week, spend time with your child sorting and putting away runaway items.
Reward good behavior. When your child puts away her toys—especially if it’s done without prompting—treat her to a favorite activity with you.

References

§ U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov)

§ National Network for Child Care (www.nncc.org)

§ Urban Programs Resource Network—University of Illinois Extension (www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/nibbles)

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