Toy rotation is a practice commonly used in Montessori homes and classrooms. It involves periodically rotating a selection of toys, materials, and activities in and out of a child's play area to keep things fresh and engaging. Toy rotation is a great way to keep your child's toys "fresh" and spark interest in toys they haven't seen in a while without buying anything new. Research has shown that children are more interested in their toys and engage with them for longer when there is a limited quantity available to them at a time.
Montessorians generally recommend having 6-10 toys available at a time in one space and ensuring that they are spread out enough that the child can see and select each toy easily. In our home, I present most of our toys and activities on low shelves that Sophie can reach; we have a play shelf in our playroom and in our living room. I use trays and small baskets to organize materials that go together, such as a tray for a set of cups for color matching or a basket of blocks or balls. I "count" one basket or tray as one activity, but try to ensure that the shelf is not too crowded or overwhelming. In addition to toys on the shelf, we have various larger and gross motor items (such as a Pikler triangle, wobble board, ball pit, and slide) and books out that we rotate periodically as well. I currently store most out-of-rotation toys in her closet, although I plan to move them to another closet soon because she often wants to get out the toys that are in storage.
Toy rotation helps to prevent children from becoming bored with their toys, as they are only presented with a limited selection at any given time. This can help children stay engaged and interested in their play, which can promote independent learning and exploration. Toy rotation also helps to encourage children to focus on one activity at a time, rather than becoming overwhelmed by too many options. By limiting the number of toys available, children are more likely to dive deeply into each activity and get the most out of it. Toy rotation can also help parents and caregivers to manage the clutter and chaos that can come with having lots of toys out at once. By rotating toys in and out of storage, parents can keep their homes neat and organized, while still providing their children with plenty of opportunities for play and exploration.
To implement toy rotation, parents can begin by observing their child then choosing toys and activities that align with their child's interests, skills, and developmental level. For example, when I noticed that Sophie was working on posting (putting things in other things), I introduced more posting activities onto her shelf. When I noticed she was starting to color match, I presented more color matching activities. Parents can then store the remaining toys in a closet or other out-of-sight location. Every few weeks or months, swap out the toys and materials based on your observations of your child's skills and interests. We rotate Sophie's toys approximately every two weeks. However, I do not recommend rotating out all of the toys at once; we rotate out the items that Sophie has not been playing with as much or that are too easy for her while keeping out items she is still interested in and using regularly. Parents can also involve their child in the process if it works for their child, asking for input on which toys to bring out next and encouraging them to take ownership of their play space.
Themed toy and book rotations are fun if they are something you would like to do, but they are not at all necessary. All that you need to do for toy rotation is switch out some of your child's toys when you notice they are no longer interested in them or when they seem to easy or difficult. It does not need to be on any regular basis, but I like to keep a mostly regular schedule personally just so I remember to do it.
Toy rotation is a simple and effective way to promote independent learning and exploration in a Montessori home while also keeping things tidy and organized. Toy rotation helps both you and your child, since your child will be more engaged and interested in their toys, and you will have less to clean up!
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