How many toys does your child need? (and what to choose)
What toys?
#Minimalism #children #Montessori #toys
If I was forced to choose a number to answer this question, I’d say 10. Let me explain.
The accumulation of toys is seemingly an unavoidable reality in todays day and age. Well-meaning parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts all purchase toys throughout the year just for a snapshot of a smile on “their baby’s” face. Christmas is a whole other topic. How much is too much though? When is it enough?
This is when a firm belief in the Montessori philosophy and/or minimalism comes in handy. Both of these ideologies emphasize quality over quantity. Sharing those values with loved ones and friends will help you keep the items in your home intentional.
So why 10? Every item in your child’s room needs a home, a very specific place where it lives when not “in use”. Most low shelving units with compartments, which are ideal for storing your child’s toys, come in 8 or 10 compartments. (IKEA is the best place for purchasing these). Limiting the number of toys a child has available at any one point not only encourages repetition, concentration, and responsibility but also aids with developing imagination. Toys that are well chosen, thoroughly researched, purchased or made with a certain purpose in mind, that are good quality, made of natural materials, and kept at its own specific place, will encourage your child to take care of these items and use them for all their worth.
Bonus: Cleaning up will not be a hassle when the child has since his/her toddler years been shown to place each item back in their specific home before reaching for something new.
What are these 10 objects that each child should own? It is definitely something that varies per age group and is individual from child to child; however, as an example, I will list some things that I would have on a shelf for a 2-year-old. Each compartment should only hold 1 type of item (e.g.a few soft toys) or 1 item. For example: 1 large knobbed puzzle (shapes, colors, or numbers), 1 dry-pouring exercise, 1 sorting exercise, books, doll(s), car/train(s), 1 spooning exercise, threading, paper and primary color crayons, blocks (or large legos) for building. That’s it at any one time.
That said, as you observe your child, look what does he gravitate toward? Not interested in cars but loves soft plushy (fluffy) items? Remove the cars and add a teddy bear. He can dry pour without spilling quite consistently? Substitute dry pouring with blunt scissors and some colorful paper for cutting (collect the pieces for a collage later on). So as you see, on the rotational basis, you can switch out expired items and substitute for other skill oriented items. *Many of these can be homemade and compiled from items already in your home.
Other items on your “quality list” for a toddler being raised in a Montessori spirit might include: boots; gardening tools; hammering activity; ball(s) for various sports; sandbox, swing, water table; bike, sled and other similar items based on interest. Take note, this is your child’s Christmas wish list to be handed out to your doting relatives.:)
There are other areas in your home that may need to be rearranged to accommodate your child’s needs. For example, the low cabinets in the kitchen may hold your child’s dishes and snacks. The bathroom may need a stepping stool for him to reach the sink. The living room may hold some musical instruments or books on a low shelf and so on. Still, general rule of thumb: less is more.
Keep strong in raising a child who is independent, authentic and creative. Wishing you success in your Montessori-minimalism journey,