Playarea

Some time ago I recognized that my boy´s mode of playing has changed. He is not really fascinated any more by toys that make sounds and activities themselves but is more keen on being inventive and creative. Of course this is the more fertile way to play. So I´m happy about this change.

Finding lots of adorable children´s rooms and ideas for toddlers on Pinterest - nearly impossible not to be inspired -  I was motivated being artistic and was creating a convenient and functional playarea for my boy. Sure it´s for my little babygirl as well but at present she prefers observing mama and Max while whizzing around. I´m looking forward to the time both my sweethearts will play together in here.

For me it´s an important fact to have a place for the children to feel good, to have the possibility to retire and... a place containing toys and games but not looking chaotic or like a kindergarten.

• Max´ and Lina´s zone

The rooms of Max and Lina are on the first floor and because of this we decided to arrange a lovely place for the children in our livingroom. It started with a little carpet and a toybox... now it developed into an area! The sofa had to slip back and the couch table was removed.

• Organisation

At present Max´toys are dominating... the cars, tractors, the trainrails, the wooden toolbox and the blocks. Although they are called boy toys, Lina is interested in these things as well...

A few days ago I bought a board with letters and numbers. I was totaly flashed how many of them my son is already able to read. Some of them he is mixing up - like "6" and "9",  "5" and "S", "7" and "L". This is so cute! 

The numbered boxes are to seperate the little toys. On the one hand an exercise for him to differentiate cars from blocks, little dolls and animals.... and on the other hand we have organisation among the toys.

• Books and animals

This is the reading and handicraft corner. Max is spending lots of time sitting there playing games or tinkering with us... or just lying on the carpet reading. We try to get a big collection of different books with multiple languages. Having the best attitude to books and reading is definitely one of the most important things for a playing toddler. It sets the foundation for the willingness to learn, it promotes imagination and concentration. 

Miss L. is always joining us... My girl is already able to reach the books herself and she likes it... crawling there and straighten herself up to take whatever she wants. What a progress!

Using the animals is a cute game as well. Max is lining them up, putting them into his tractor and driving away with them, running them over by the tractor, matching them to pictures in his books or dividing them into groups to the regions where they are from.

• Toy kitchen

This lovely kitchen was a gift from mama and papa for Max´ 2nd birthday. He likes a lot to pretend to cook there, to make coffee and toast for us. 

I think it´s the perfect place to promote imaginative play and to acquire special skills needed in practical life. I always wanted to support my boy to get a passion for food and preparing it. Of course it´s not only a "woman thing".

At present we try to name the fruits and vegetables both in german and english. Just amazing to recognize how easy he learns it and  saves the words in his mind.

• Toys

1.  Noodles - Max likes to pour dry noodles from one cup to another. This is a good excercise for fine motory skills. Sure... it´s greatest fun to pour them all out :-)
2. Play Doh - For my boy this is kind of therapy because he really hates having dirt on his fingers. So I got the advice to use play doh. In addition it´s great for motory skills as well and stimulating phantasy.
3. Drawing - Max isn´t already very keen on using the crayons himself but loves us to draw the things he wants to see... cars and tractors preferred.
4. Klecks - This is a lovely game assigning the correct colours to the blank objects. He is really good at it!
5. Puzzles - Putting puzzles together is great fun for him. Implied that it is a challenge. Nevertheless... the two pieces puzzle of vehicles is still the favorite!I like him playing with them because it´s good for concentration, patience and promotes endurance and considering.
6. Memory - Max likes finding the matching pictures but doesn´t want them reversed. I think it is instructive even this way!
7. Books - I bought some little ones as well and a pocket named Max to take them with us when en route.
8. Craft basket - containing the stuff we are often playing with. Lot´s of thing added again and again.
9. Music basket - To use these instruments brings immense benefits to children. But confessed... it´s incredibly exhausting to listen to these sounds of music ;-)

These toys are in rotation. I try to offer different things to the children to keep them interested and employed. I love seeing them totally busy discovering new possibilities!