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Toy Storage
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Meyou
12:02 PM 09-16-2011
Could you try getting them to pick up before the mess gets out of control? We clean up before snacks and lunch, before outside time am and pm and then at 5pm (30 minutes before closing time). But if they are having a messy day I stop them, ask them to look around and then say it's time for a quick pickup so they have more room to play. Even my 4.5 year olds that have been here for years are overwhelmed by a huge mess so I try not to let it get to that point.
We also discuss playing with the toys as they should be played with frequently. Examples....books never go on the floor, blocks are for building, toys are for hands not feet, crayons at the table, dolls in the dollhouse etc. They have really made less mess overall since I started frequent pick up times and have gotten them used to playing specific games with specific toys rather than dump and drop.
The other thing I do is direct traffic, especially for the little ones. 1-2 year olds get direction from me such as " DCG -you can please look for blocks to put away" "DCB - can you please find ALLLLLLL the babies and put them to bed?" It's an overwhelming mess sometimes so giving them a task helps alot. My little ones start picking up at around 14 months. Most start with me around 11-12 months due to the mat leave in canada.
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