| Toddlers can all too quickly outgrow that adorable | | | | basket. Developmentally, this helps children to |
| nursery that you put your heart and soul into. | | | | recognize patterns and group common objects |
| Especially if you kept your baby in your bed room | | | | together. |
| with you for most of that first year. Sometimes your | | | | Another fun way to organize is by color. Get several |
| toddler has already outgrown the nursery before she | | | | large bins of varying colors, or paint them yourself. |
| even gets into it. When your child is old enough for a | | | | One bin can be rainbow colored for toys that are |
| big boy or big girl room, then you need to get ready | | | | many colors. The red bin is for red toys. The green |
| as well. | | | | bin is for green toys, and so on. Make clean-up a fun |
| Toys can really start to pile up over the first two to | | | | time with your toddler. Some are happy with hugs |
| three years of life. You may find that the fancy little | | | | and kisses. Some toddlers thrive on applause. Some |
| toy box you bought when your child was born is no | | | | even like to be tickled when they get it right. Figure |
| longer nearly enough to store all of those toys! | | | | out what motivates your child and you can start |
| Storage bins can be your best friends when it comes | | | | teaching them the wonderful habit of straightening |
| to organizing toys. This is especially true in a small | | | | up. A little time spent now can save you a lot of |
| room. Small room or large space, a toddler can really | | | | heartache in the future. |
| destroy a room. You need a system that you can | | | | Make clothing an easy to handle chore as well. Get a |
| pick up quickly, and eventually teach your toddler as | | | | special small laundry basket just for your toddler. |
| well. | | | | Placing it in the closet will keep dirty clothes out of |
| This poses a perfect opportunity to teach your little | | | | sight. Additionally, you'll teach your toddler that when |
| one some independent skills. Decide which bins will be | | | | they are changing clothes, their dirty ones should go |
| for dolls, cars, blocks, magnet toys, balls, etc. Take a | | | | straight into the basket. Use special children's clothes |
| picture of one of the child's favorites from each bin. | | | | hangers to ensure that delicate garments are |
| Label the bin with the picture of the toy that goes | | | | protected. Childrens clothes hangers also encourage |
| inside. Making word labels can help your child to | | | | children to help with the laundry by hanging their own |
| eventually recognize common objects as sight words. | | | | clothes. If you have children's clothes hangers, then |
| Make it a fun game, like basket ball. Cheer and praise | | | | they will know that they are especially for them and |
| your child for getting the right toy into the right | | | | they will be happy to use them. |