Can a child have too many toys? And if so, does it matter? Can there possibly be any downside to this? Read on…
Parents will be parents. We can moan, grumble, complain about the mess our little one’s toys are making a mess at home, but the moment we see a new toy in the store, the only thing we can think about is how happy or excited junior will be if he had it. And that’s just one way how new toys keep popping up at our homes. We haven’t factored in the endless numbers of toys received from our family and friends yet.
Having loads of toys for our children isn’t the exactly harmful thing, for, after all, toys bring joy to kids (and to some toy-loving adults too). However, when you begin to realise that you keep stepping on one ever so often, or when it starts to show up in places they don’t belong, that’s when you’ll realise that there might be a problem.
And like all other things that we have an excess of at home, toys have to be managed well so that they can serve their purpose and not become a burden. So, are you ready to play around with some pointers? (Pun intended!)
Categorise and separate
While this may not address the volume of toys in your home yet, it’s still a good starting point. Determine what kind of toys your little ones should and should not be playing with, and also the quality of toys they should have in their possession. Hint: Some parents may question the toy’s origins and where it was manufactured, for instance. These few factors will get you started in your effort to narrow down your decision on which toy goes where (and which toys are making their way out of your home!).
Exchange with others
Most toys are age-specific in nature and children tend to grow out of them almost as quickly as they grow out of their expensive clothes! Talk with your friends who have little ones the same age about doing some sort of toy sharing or swapping programme. This way, your friends’ children and yours can play with different toys each week without having to purchase them all. Also, friends with kids who a little older can donate some toys to your child. Or, they can loan them and have the toys back if or when they have another child. This, in its way, gives new purpose to toys, and it’s a wonderful thing if we think about it.
Communicate your intentions to others
This may turn out to be the toughest one, for family and friends love to soil and pamper little ones to high heaven, don’t they? Still, do try and communicate your intentions to manage the flow of toys into your home and with some luck, they’ll understand. When birthdays and special events are nearing, let your family know your child already has too many toys than he can play with. If they insist on getting presents, request instead of books. They are a wonderful alternative and are so much easier to manage than an overflow of toys.
You can also try keeping a wish list at hand, and if anyone asks what should they get for junior’s birthday, for instance, share with them your ideas of the ideal gifts for your child. The outcome is a win-win one – for the giver will feel happy to give you what you asked for and you’ll be glad to keep the flow of toys into your home at a more manageable pace.
A place for every toy
Have a few decent size toy bins and ensure that every toy that’s currently being played has a place to be when it’s not being used. You can even use specific storage systems for grouping your child’s toys You’ll know when it’s time to give away some toys when a storage bin can’t accommodate them all neatly anymore.
Teach junior the art of organising
Help your child to be more responsible for his toys and also, to be more aware of what he owns by getting him to put away his toys after playing. Let him get more involved in the decision of what goes where.
Incorporate consequences, if you feel that is necessary. For example, taking away a toy that doesn’t get put away for a few days might be an effective way to teach them about appreciation. Little ones have a tendency to appreciate a toy that they don’t play with for a while, so if you determine there are too many toys in the bin, but that you don’t necessarily want to get rid of them just yet, put them away for a few weeks or months and reintroduce them. Your child will welcome them as if they were new – works every time!
Learn to let go
It’s not the easiest thing for some people, but even with toys, you’ll have to let go of some before bringing in new ones. So, now and then, make it a point to take stock of all your child’s toys – don’t leave out anything. You may involve your child throughout this process. Determine which toys should be kept and which ones are no longer played with. Some many second-hand shops and stores will gladly accept clean and gently used toys, so get in the habit of making these types of donations from your stock to keep your child’s toys at a manageable volume and at the same time, let toys that are still good but are no longer played with having a new purpose and appreciation in another home.
The downsides of having too many toys at a go
It might seem harmless to let your child have access to every toy in the house, but the fact is, a little child simply can’t make the best out of playtime when there is an overload of toys to play with – the more toys they are bombarded with, the more distracted they will be. What’s worse is, the longer this carries on, the less appreciative they’ll be when it comes to toys.
So, if you happen to have lots of toys which you feel are good quality ones, offer them in stages over a period of time instead of at one go. You’ll see that it’s worth the wait, for your child will likely be more attentive and appreciative of each toy.
