Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
As I introduce new toys to the group and new kids to the toys, I model their intended use. I simply pick up the toy, sit on a rug and play with it a couple of minutes. I then put it away and go back to my desk. I don't have to do anything else. Nature does give them natural curiosity.
I also never buy just one of any free play toy, I make sure there are enough for everyone. The individual play toys only come out during individual playtimes or this method would cause chaos. 
He knows how to play with everything here. I had a five year old daycare child here on Fridays all of last school year and during the summer. Every single toy has been played with multiple times in front of or by 2 year old. He knows how to play. He just rarely chooses to do it.