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Creating your Play Space
General Suggestions & Creative Ideas
General Suggestions- Although there is no one right way to set up a play environment, I would like to offer a few recommendations:
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Provide an area with some open space that will allow for free play. The space doesn't necessarily have to be large, if you have limited space, it can be the space behind the couch or a corner of a room. A play space can be anything from an entire playroom to the space under the kitchen table!
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Make conscious choices when painting and decorating walls. Young children are completely open, and "take-in" everything from their environments. This should be considered when choosing the colors and pictures for the walls of their bedrooms and play spaces.
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For storing toys, deep toy boxes or overloaded baskets are not recommended. They are hard to see into and toys are more likely to get lost or broken.
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If possible, have toys visibly displayed and arranged on low, open shelves. This allows the child to see and choose which toys they want to play with.
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Small separate baskets or small open boxes are useful for sorting sets of things.
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Keep toys in a specific and consistent location. Each toy should have a "home." The child will know where to get they toy when he/she wants to play with it, it provides a sense of order, and encourages children to care for their toys and their play environment.
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Sometimes in an attempt to give the child a choice, we put all their toys out at once. Too many choices can be overwhelming to children and can actually inhibit creativity. Watch your child play and assess the appropriate number of toys to keep out.
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Many times children have more toys than they could ever play with. It is a good idea to rotate toys from time to time. Observe your child's play to see what things aren't being played with and put them away for a week or so.
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Your can help spark your child's imagination by setting up play scenes the night before. Go into your child's play space and set up a little scene they might enjoy acting out the next day or incorporate this into your clean up routine and have your child set up a scene he/she would like to play the next day.
Creative Ideas- Here are some more specific ideas you may want to incorporate into your child's play space:
Lazure Paint the Walls- Lazure refers to a method of painting walls using layers of paint that are transparent like watercolors. The paint is applied with a rhythmical motion using large brushes. The walls start white and then different colors are painted in separate layers using this rhythmical motion. The effect is that light passes through the thin layers of color and is reflected back. We did this in my twin girls bedroom and it turned out beautifully. You can view pictures of lazure painting in the picture gallery. The following links will also provide more information on lazuring:
http://www.lazurepainting.com
http://www.lazurebylogsdon.com/lazure.htmlMake Playstands w/ Canopies the Center of a Playroom- Playstands are not only one of the most versatile toys for creative play, they also add to the aesthetic beauty of a play area. When a set of playstands with canopies is draped with a large rainbow silkscape, the effect is gorgeous. What child wouldn't want to play under that? You can make this scene the center of a playroom by placing toys on the shelves of the playstands and/or placing large play equipment, such as a play kitchen, under the playstands. Visit the Picture Gallery to see what this looks like.
Make a Nature Table - Nature Tables are very common in Waldorf homes and classrooms. They usually consist of a small table displayed with little treasures that are inspired by the season. In the fall, you might add a leaf that is changing colors, spring might have little felted bunny rabbits. This is a great way to encourage your child's appreciation for nature. A great source for nature tables is Nature Tables by Scott Crumpton at http://www.naturetables.comCreate a Doll Corner- Dolls are especially important in children's play. They allow children to externalize their feelings and project them onto the doll. Because this is such an important part of play, you might want to consider having a special place dedicated to the care of your child's playmate. Have a cradle or bed that your child's special doll is put to sleep in each night. This shows a respect for the doll and your child as well.
Make use of Windows - Hang a rainbow prism, a windmill, or small bird feeder outside the window. Your child will be excited to watch the light, the wind, or little creatures who come to visit at the window.
Hang a Coat Rack - Coat Racks are great for capes, crowns, hats, and dress-up clothes. A nicely displayed coat rack will invite your child to lots of role-playing possibilities!
Move Outdoors - if you are limited on space (and even if you're not!) create some outdoor play spaces. Forts can be made by draping sheets between tree limbs. Start a garden and let your child grow tomatoes or herbs. Make an outdoor workbench with a sawhorse and allow your child to try woodworking.
Establish a "New & Exciting Box" - If you notice your child isn't playing with a certain toy, put it away in a box. If you child is given a gift you don't particularly want them to play with on a regular basis, put it in this box as well. Store the box in a closet. Pull it out on those days when your child has run out of play ideas, rainy days, or days you feel like you're losing your sanity! These "new and exciting" toys may do the trick!
Create Theme Areas - Think back to the "centers" of your own kindergarten classroom. You can also do this at home! Some examples are a housekeeping area with a play kitchen and/or ironing board, an art area with an easel, apron and paints. How about a story corner complete with a bean bag and your child's favorite books?
Hang a Play Canopy - Young children love to have their own "secret" places. A play canopy is a nice way to encourage this type of imaginative play. Since several young children can fit under them at once, they provide a charming environment for tea parties and special "club" meetings!
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