As a Montessori teacher, I saw the benefits of toy rotation firsthand. Now, at home with my three children, I use many of the same toy storage and organization ideas. While it hasn't completely eliminated the stress related to toy clutter, it has helped a lot. More importantly, these practices are proven to foster better quality play and greater concentration.
What is toy rotation and why should you give it a try? Learn about the science behind toy rotation and discover tried and true tips on toy storage.
What is Montessori Toy Rotation?
The original idea of Montessori toy rotation started with educational materials. In Montessori classrooms, there are many shelves, all filled with engaging lessons and materials. Teachers provide fresh new materials or activities to interest students every few weeks. Montessori shelves are neat, organized, and not overfilled to create an environment that fosters focus and concentration.
Now, Montessori-minded parents use the same idea in their homes. Instead of toy boxes and storage bins filled to the brim, parents set out a smaller number of toys on shelves. Then, after a few weeks, caregivers rotate in new toys to boost interest in play.
Instead of keeping all toys out, most toys are kept in a storage space. Only a small number of toys are available at any given time. You can choose toys to set out based on a theme, or simply offer a selection of different types of toys such as puzzles, building toys, balls, art supplies, etc.
Montessori toy rotation makes it easier to clean up because there are fewer toys (a win for parents everywhere). More importantly, a toy rotation system can also result in better play.
The Science Behind Play: Why Fewer Toys = Better Quality Play
What is quality play? Adults often overlook the importance of play. As Montessori said, "Play is the work of the child." Through play, children develop essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, speech and language skills, social and emotional awareness, and more.
Researchers studying play often look at focus and creativity during play. When children play with toys in a variety of ways for long, uninterrupted periods, play is of higher quality.
Fewer Toys, Better Play
Have you ever felt overwhelmed when stepping into a busy space like an arcade or shopping mall? Even if you enjoy the experience at first, spending time in these spaces may leave you feeling drained and tired. That's because too much stimulation is tiring. Children can feel the same way when presented with too many options.
Several studies show that offering fewer toys results in higher-quality play. One study tested toddlers at play. One group had access to 16 toys, while the other group just had four toys. The group that only had four toys showed better focus and played more creatively.
Another study tested the quality of play when offered twelve vs. five toys. In this study, 1-year-olds played with their mothers. Even with the help of a caregiver, fewer toys was better for concentration and focus than more toys.
Too Many Toys Causes Distraction
Researchers note that young children, especially under the age of three, are easily distracted. This is because they haven't yet developed impulse control. Having access to too many toys can make it hard for toddlers to focus on one toy and maintain their attention during play.
Building an attention span is essential. As children grow, they use their concentration skills to learn to read and develop other academic abilities.
Tips from a Montessori Teacher on Toy Rotation
How can you create the ideal play area with the right number of toys? Also, how will you know when it's time to rotate toys and what types of toys should you offer?
Creating the ideal playing space depends on many factors including your child's age and interests and your space. Here are my top tips on toy rotation for toddlers and preschoolers.
The Basics of Montessori Toy Rotation
For Montessori toy rotation, there are some basic guidelines to follow when setting up your toy shelf. Here are a few:
- Leave ample space between toys on the shelves.
- Use a low shelf that's easy for your child to reach.
- Use containers or trays to keep toys organized (a basket of blocks or a tray for a puzzle).
- Encourage your child to return toys to where they found them (same spot on the shelf).
- Rotate or switch out toys about every two weeks. Guide your decision on when to rotate toys by how your child plays.
- Notice your child's interests and add relevant toys to the rotation (dinosaurs, construction vehicles, art supplies, etc.)
- Try offering toys that stretch your child's abilities and provide challenge. For example, once your child masters a 10-piece puzzle, offer a 16 to 20-piece puzzle.
Types of Toys to Offer: How to Select Toys
Which toys should you provide for your little one? Toy researchers classify toys into major categories including:
- Role-play and pretend toys (dolls, figurines, cars, hospital/doctor sets, etc.),
- Adaptive and manipulative fine motor toys (blocks, stackers, shape-and color-matching toys, puzzles, etc.)
- Art-based (play dough, drawing and coloring tools, etc.)
- Language and concept developing (scrabble, card and board games, toy letters, etc.)
- Gross motor-stimulating toys (tricycles, Pikler Triangle Set, etc.)
Offering a variety of toys can help your child explore many different abilities and ways to play. If you're super organized, you might include one or two toys from each of these categories. However, you don't have to complicate toy selection and can simply offer a variety of quality toys. My personal favorites include wooden blocks, letter cards, puzzles, and gross motor toys like a Pikler Triangle Set or Balance Board.
Personally, I always offered my children art supplies alongside their other toys. Now that they're elementary-aged, they still gravitate toward sketchbooks, markers, and crayons when they have free time. They also love creating sculptures out of clay and cardboard.
Simple Toys, Better Play
When picking out toys, parents should know that research shows simple toys are best. Professor Trawick-Smith of the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University told the National Association for the Education of Young Children, "The highest-scoring toys so far have been quite simple: hardwood blocks, a set of wooden vehicles and road signs, and classic wooden construction toys. These toys are relatively open-ended, so children can use them in multiple ways."
When in doubt, offer a selection of simple toys that don't require batteries. Wooden toys are a great choice, especially for baby toys.
How Many Toys Should Be Out?
The amount of toys you offer depends on your child's age and your space. As a general rule, the younger your child, the fewer toys they need. For toddlers, about eight to ten toys is a good starting point. Older children can manage more toys and enjoy having more choices.
Your child should be your guide. If you notice your child bouncing around between toys, consider removing a few. On the other hand, if your child shows good concentration, you may have found the sweet spot for toys.
Also, consider your shelf space. The Montessori method recommends avoiding overcrowding of shelves. If you need more room to set out toys, try stacking shelves or adding another shelf to your space.
What to Include in Toy Rotation?
Beyond switching toys, what else might you include in your toy rotation? Some families use themes such as holidays, seasons, or animals to inspire sets of toys. For example, consider a shelf with a theme of penguins. It might include:
- A board book about penguins
- A stuffed animal penguin
- An Antarctica sensory bin
- A coloring page of a penguin and crayons
- Cards highlighting the parts of a penguin
- A penguin puzzle
What else? Also, consider changing out art supplies. If you currently have crayons out, you can switch them to colored pencils. Or, you can offer your child stickers, textured paper, paints, or clay. Remember to offer a few things at a time.
At What Age Should You Start Toy Rotation?
You can start toy rotation as soon as your child is mobile and can pick toys off the shelf. Other people prefer to wait until their child can walk.
Starting toy rotation at a young age can help boost your child's engagement with toys. As part of toy rotation, also show your child how to put toys away. Slowly, your child will learn to clean up independently and to help keep the space clean.
Toy Organization Ideas
An essential part of toy rotation is toy storage. How can you manage the toys that are out of rotation? Some toy storage ideas include:
- Storage bins. You can organize toys and use one bin for each category (building toys like blocks, art supplies, puzzles, etc.)
- Drawers. Some people prefer to use sets of plastic drawers for storing supplies. You can label each drawer and store drawers that way.
- Closet. You can keep storage bins in a closet that you can lock.
Whatever you choose, create a system that works for you. Don't be afraid to switch up your system over time as your child grows to meet changing needs.
Montessori Toy Rotation Can Enhance Your Child's Playtime
Creating an organized play space with just the right number of toys can boost your child's concentration and focus. Toy rotation can help ensure your child isn't overwhelmed by too many toys.
Do you use a toy rotation system? Share your experiences in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!
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