Toy Curation

I spend almost as much time choosing the containers for our toys as I do the toys themselves. I have baskets and bins of different shapes and sizes for just this purpose!

There's a few reasons I do this, but most importantly, I want to foster independence. Being able to take a toy out and put it back unassisted allows a child autonomy and an opportunity for self-direction.

We call this toy curation, and it's one of the signature practices we teach at BeWell Baby to help parents create play spaces that support healthy brain development. Our approach uses principles of design to explore how you, your child, and the environment interact to enable new ways of learning.

The best containers have easy to grip handles, are light enough to be carried by the child, and are “right-sized”: large enough to easily hold the materials, small enough to be managed. Don't be surprised if they tip over or dump the toys out- that's part of the fun!

We typically only place one toy or related set of objects in each basket, and give each their own spot on the shelf or floor.

We leave lots of empty room and separate toys to help the child see their options, and access only what they want and need.

The final step is to observe your child as they play. Is the container enabling access or creating a barrier? Can they manipulate it well, or do they need help or get frustrated? Can they find what they are looking for? This is the art and science of a great at-home play space!