Are you overwhelmed with all the toys your child has scattered across the house? Odds are your child is too. Having too many toys available can cause sensory overload and leave your child unsure of what toy to choose. They often move quickly from one toy to another, unlikely to fully engage or understand the toy’s target activity. Facing a challenge, your child may get frustrated, abandon the toy and choose another. Fewer toys promote the engagement needed to achieve developmental milestones such as creativity, patience and problem solving. Toy rotation is a way of introducing a small set of toys that target a variety of developmental skills. It also helps keep the toys organized and clear up more space for your child to play.
The first step is to find all the toys in your house and put them in one room so you can look at your options. Do not be afraid to let go of toys that are no longer developmentally appropriate or toys with no developmental challenges such as party favors, holiday nick knacks or freebies from kid’s meals. Furthermore, children with hearing loss need toys that make sounds to stimulate their hearing rather than toys that light up as it can cause their vision senses to overrun their hearing senses. Keep the number of similar toys to a minimum. For example, if the child has 30 toy cars, five will be enough.
Once you have all the toys rounded up, categorize them into broad categories such as musical, pretend play, stuffed animals, ride on, push/pull toys, puzzles, balls, stacking, dolls, dress up, etc. You’ll also want to sort toys that target listening goals such as indoor sounds, outdoor sounds, transportation and bathroom, etc. Select turn taking games and toys that can be filled or assembled, which are great for listening practice. Remember that some of your toys may fall into more than one category so your sets may recycle toys from the previous week.
Now that your toys are categorized, select several toys from each of those categories to create a set. It is beneficial to provide a few toys for each of the various developmental stages. Ask yourself, “How does each toy stimulate their learning? …their hearing?” Make sure to keep in mind the possible activities your child might engage in when grouping toys. Does your child have a doll? Create a set with food items or a tea set. Does your child have various toys from their favorite cartoon, such as Paw Patrol? Make a set for that theme.
Next, plan your rotation schedule; switch the toys weekly or every few weeks. Observe your child at play and keep in mind which toys are frequently played with and which toys keep them occupied the longest. Some toys may sit on the shelf while others are often chosen. Take toys that no longer interest your child out of rotation and hide them away in a closet or the garage.
Finally, remember to switch out the toys when your child is tucked into bed! Then, be ready to watch as their eyes light up when they explore the “new” toys. You will smile watching them engage with the toys, noticing the spacious floor and cleaning up in no time. Happy sorting!
For more information on how to give the Gift of Sound to a child with hearing loss, please click here.
